Kidney disease decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's kidney and bladder cancers did not have their onset during active service or result from disease or injury in service, and were not caused by or aggravated by a service-connected disability. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied service connection for a kidney disorder, bilateral pes planus as secondary to service-connected pes planus, arthritis, hammertoes, and bunion of the bilateral feet as secondary to service-connected pes planus, degenerative changes of the lumbar spine and lumbar strain, and bilateral hip trochanteric bursitis. The Board found no evidence of aggravation during service for the kidney disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a medical professional regarding the etiology of the Veteran's renal cancer and considering his exposure to benzene during active duty service.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for renal cell carcinoma is being remanded due to the need for an addendum VA opinion regarding potential asbestos exposure and its relation to his condition.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU, with his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any service-connected disabilities and therefore cannot meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status. The claim for service connection for various conditions is also denied.

The Veteran's cause of death was not caused by a service-connected disability, as there is no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents such as Agent Orange during his military service. The Board found that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and thus could not be presumed exposed to these agents.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for systemic lupus erythematosus with secondary chronic renal insufficiency is being remanded due to incomplete development of the record and need for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death, finding that diabetes mellitus did not contribute to his death and esophageal cancer was not caused by herbicide exposure in service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining personnel records and a medical opinion regarding the DIC claim. The case will be returned to the RO for further review.

The Board denied reopening the claim of service connection for kidney and adrenal gland disability but granted reopening of the claims for increased ratings for tinea pedis, tinea crura, and onychomycosis. The Veteran's tinea pedis was rated as 10 percent prior to January 25, 2009, and 10 percent after March 1, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining updated income verification information and any necessary retrospective medical opinions.

The Veteran's stomach cancer and adrenal adenoma were not found to be related to service or herbicide exposure. The right wrist disability was also not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examinations. The claims will be readjudicated based on the evidence received.

The Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected PTSD, which led to substance abuse and ultimately contributed to the fatal conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for kidney disease was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, in-service incurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury; and a causal relationship between the present disability and the disease or injury incurred or aggravated during service. The Board also found that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claim for service connection for hypertension.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for tinnitus, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, hypertension, a respiratory disability including lung nodules, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma, kidney cysts, and skin cancer due to incomplete records and procedural issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sarcoidosis with renal involvement does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a diagnosed liver, spleen, or kidney disability and thus cannot grant service connection for these conditions as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.