Kidney disease decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case due to missing medical records and a need for an examination. The Veteran's kidney disability is being evaluated in relation to service exposure, specifically diesel fuel or solvents.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hair loss disorder, kidney disease, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, eye disorder, and headache disorder are all denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service or presumed herbicide exposure.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the Veteran's kidney cancer is related to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. The case will be returned for further review.

The Veteran's renal cell carcinoma, right-sided numbness, and chronic pain were not found to be related to his service or exposure to herbicides. The Board denied the claims for service connection.

The Veteran's death was caused by hypertension, which is considered a contributory cause of death. The Board finds that service connection for hypertension can be granted as it is related to service and the appellant has met the burden of proof.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his heart disorder and hypertension, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The decision is in favor of a TDIU.

The Board found that a service-connected disability (acute myocardial infarction) was the immediate or underlying cause of the Veteran's death, and it was etiologically related to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's renal cancer is due to in-service exposure to benzene, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for diabetes was denied, but his TDIU claim was granted. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's HIV/AIDS, renal failure, congestive heart failure with valve disease, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are not related to service or any incident therein. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to insufficient medical evidence on file regarding the etiology of his renal cell carcinoma and eczema. Further VA examinations are needed.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a kidney disability that he claims is secondary to his service-connected type 2 diabetes. The case has been remanded due to incomplete records from the Social Security Administration.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete VA treatment records. The case will be returned for further action.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to additional medical records received in February 2014.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and IBS were denied. The effective dates for the grants of service connection for chronic kidney disease and gout have been granted.,Chronic kidney disease was granted secondary to hypertension, with an effective date of November 22, 2010. Gout was granted as secondary to chronic kidney disease from hypertension, with an effective date of April 30, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, and therefore grants service connection for hypertension on a secondary basis. The issue of chronic renal failure was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's kidney disability is rated at 30 percent effective from December 27, 2010. The right knee and low back disabilities remain at their current assigned ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's prostate and kidney cancers are not related to his military service, including exposure to formaldehyde and benzene during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating, service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Veteran is found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to his multiple disabilities, which require assistance with activities of daily living and protection from environmental hazards.