Kidney disease decisions — 2014

The Board found that the Veteran's additional disabilities were not caused by VA treatment between December 1972 and April 1973, thus denying his claims for service connection under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has determined that another remand is necessary due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new examination. The issues of entitlement to service connection for kidney stones and right foot disability remain on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including skin disease (claimed as jungle rot), peripheral vascular disease with recurrent venous stasis ulcers, thrombocytopenia, anemia, kidney disability, and malaria, were denied due to lack of evidence showing onset during service or being related to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The Veteran's claims for these conditions are presumed based on his service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by or related to any service-connected disability, including his right shoulder arthritis. The primary causes of death were acute renal failure, congestive heart failure, and pleural effusion, which did not have their onset in service or within one year post-service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and adjudicating his service connection claims. The special monthly compensation claim will be remanded pending the outcome of these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current neurological damage, vertigo, or adrenal gland dysfunction as a result of his service-connected electrical shock injury. However, he is found to have left trapezius and right pectoral muscular damage from this incident.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA and private treatment records, as well as an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between his service-connected diabetes mellitus and chronic renal insufficiency. The CAD claim will also be remanded for a new examination.

The Board has determined that service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral lower extremity peripheral vascular disease, peripheral neuropathy, diabetic ulcers, diabetic retinopathy, and renal disease cannot be granted as they are not related to service or presumed exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is more likely due to hereditary hemochromatosis than to in-service Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for cause of death due to lack of new and material evidence, despite some submitted medical records.

The Board has requested a clarification on whether the Veteran's hypertension or medication aggravated his renal cell carcinoma, which is necessary to determine service connection for cause of death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, renal cell carcinoma, rectal adenocarcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma of the face are not service-connected due to lack of continuity of symptoms since service separation or a nexus between these conditions and herbicide exposure.

The Board found that the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was clearly and unmistakably erroneous, and thus granted severance of this condition. The Veteran's other claims were denied as there is no evidence linking any current disabilities to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of coronary artery disease, acute renal failure, and hypercoagulable state with anemia are at least as likely as not related to his exposure to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune during service.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic cardiovascular condition during or within one year after service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected renal cell carcinoma is granted, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for dose assessment regarding potential radiation exposure during service. The Veteran's kidney and prostate cancer are being reviewed under the 'new and material' theory of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to complete additional development steps, including a dose estimate based on available methodologies. The claims for service connection will be reconsidered in light of all pertinent evidence and legal authority.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral kidney cysts, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicides during service is presumed and thus his current condition may be related to this exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is service-connected as secondary to his service-connected hypertension with chronic renal insufficiency and major depressive disorder.