Kidney disease decisions — 2012

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for metastatic RCC and its associated residuals, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his active duty service or herbicide exposure and these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus Type 2 was reopened and granted based on exposure to herbicides in service. Service connection is also granted for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus Type 2, but not for peripheral neuropathy or a bilateral eye disorder. The claim for renal insufficiency remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, hearing loss, amputation of the right index finger, diabetes mellitus type II with renal insufficiency, erectile dysfunction, and scar from CABG, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that his TDIU is warranted.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus did not cause, hasten, or accelerate his death. The Board concluded that the liver cancer was more likely related to post-service factors.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and pilonidal cystectomy were denied as the evidence did not show that his service-connected conditions required regulation of activities or necessitated hospitalizations.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for kidney stones and nephrolithiasis, finding new and material evidence. The Veteran's current condition of nephrocalcinosis and recurrent urolithiasis is found to be related to his active service. Service connection is granted for a kidney disorder, but not for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for kidney stone disease, finding that the Veteran's in-service diet likely contributed to his current diagnosis. The claims for acquired psychiatric disorder and right hand/thumb conditions are remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess his service-connected conditions and other issues on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected tuberculosis of the right kidney does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating due to lack of active disease and no significant residual symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the submission of new VA outpatient treatment records. The claims for hepatitis C and a kidney disorder will be reconsidered in light of these records.

The Board has remanded the case for a new hearing before the Veterans Law Judge and further development as requested.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death was not related to his active service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current nature, extent and severity of his diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy. The RO must also consider whether separate compensable ratings are warranted for renal and eye impairment.

The Board has denied service connection for left renal cell carcinoma and right renal cyst, finding that these conditions did not manifest during active duty or are otherwise related to the Veteran's diabetes.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension and kidney disorder are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The Board requires additional VA examinations to determine if the conditions are secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the underlying claims remain denied. The Veteran has a current diagnosis of anxiety disorder that may be related to active service.,The Veteran's kidney disease and urinary incontinence are both found to be related to active service.

The Board denied service connection for end stage renal disease and entitlement to SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound, as there was no evidence linking these conditions to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities did not cause his death, but they may have contributed to his overall health condition and made him more susceptible to the pancreatic cancer that ultimately caused his death.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO/AMC for further evidentiary development and readjudication due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic kidney disease with CAD is currently rated at 100% effective from September 10, 2010. The Board finds that the evidence supports granting secondary service connection for gastroparesis due to diabetes mellitus and grants a higher initial evaluation of 100%.