Kidney disease decisions — 2014

The Veteran's renal cell carcinoma was caused by exposure to Agent Orange in service, and the Board has determined that he is entitled to service connection for this condition. The hypertension claim will be remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current urological disorder, including kidney stones, that is related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death was related to chemical exposure during military service, and thus service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a disability due to disease or injury incurred or aggravated during active service, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including type II diabetes mellitus and its complications, have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides. The claimed conditions are not related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for residuals of a hemorrhagic fever, which he claims are related to his current kidney and bladder conditions. The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and incomplete private treatment records.

The Board found that the evidence is against a finding that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's end-stage renal disease was related to his military service.

The Veteran's right renal cell carcinoma is related to his service-connected hypertension, and the RO granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for renal carcinoma and gallstones. The decision on CUE in the October 7, 1954 rating decision is also denied due to untimely filing of a substantive appeal.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the September 1983 rating decision that denied service connection for a kidney condition. The Veteran's claim was not supported by evidence of a genitourinary disability at the time.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining service records and verifying exposure claims. The Veteran's lung cancer is being evaluated in light of potential asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an extension of the delimiting date beyond June 16, 2009 for educational assistance benefits under Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill) was denied as there is no clear evidence that his physical or mental disabilities prevented him from initiating or completing his chosen program of education during his eligibility period.

The Board is remanding the case to the AOJ for further development, including obtaining SSA medical records and providing a supplemental medical opinion regarding the Veteran's current diagnosis of pneumonitis.

The Board has vacated the decision denying a higher rating for chronic renal disorder and remanded the case to obtain additional medical records and determine if the Appellant is a substituted claimant.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current chronic back disability is as likely as not caused by physical training performed during his period of service. The remaining issues have been remanded due to the Veteran filing timely notices of disagreement.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic liver disorder, renal disorder, and skin disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's metastatic renal cell carcinoma and hypertension are found to be related to his military service, specifically exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's clear cell renal carcinoma was not incurred in service, including as due to herbicide exposure. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for asbestosis and nephrosclerosis with end stage renal disease have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of these issues by his representative prior to the Board decision.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions and exposure claims, but the VA has not verified his exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides. The case is being remanded for further investigation.