Kidney disease decisions — 2015

The Veteran died in November 1982 due to multiple underlying health conditions, including arteriosclerotic heart disease and diabetes mellitus. The Board found that the cause of death was not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records. The Veteran's cause of death was cardiorespiratory arrest, but the Appellant contends that his disabilities (including prostate cancer, coronary vascular disease, COPD, claudication, pulmonary fibrosis, cardiomegaly, BPH, and renal insufficiency) were related to service, including as a result of exposure to herbicides. The Board will determine if these disabilities are subject to the presumption of service connection due to herbicide exposure and whether they contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's cause of death (septic shock, pneumonia, acute renal failure, and double mitral lesion) were not service-connected. The appellant did not have a pending claim for accrued benefits at the time of her husband's death.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bladder/kidney condition did not have its onset in service or was manifest to a compensable degree within one year after service. The claim for service connection for low grade urothelial carcinoma, claimed as kidney and bladder lesions, was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for renal cell carcinoma, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for prostatitis with UTIs, service connection for hypertension, and kidney disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The Veteran testified that his symptoms have worsened since his last VA examination in 2009, and he submitted medical evidence suggesting a possible link between his current health issues and service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including psychiatric disorders, diabetes mellitus, retinopathy, knee and back disorders, hypertension, genitourinary issues, skin conditions, arthritis, traumatic brain injury, fibromyalgia, Reiter's syndrome, autoimmune disorder, hand and elbow disorders, and kidney problems. The decision also denied a temporary total rating for convalescence purposes due to right thumb fracture.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a videoconference hearing and considering the evidence submitted by the Veteran's representative.

The Veteran's kidney disability is not service-connected, but his diabetes mellitus with cataracts and glaucoma are granted at a 20 percent rating.

The Board finds that the Veteran's congestive heart failure, kidney failure, liver failure, bilateral lower extremity edema, and shortness of breath were not caused by the use of Buspirone prescribed by VA.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues except hearing loss were withdrawn by the Veteran. The Board grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a kidney injury. The Veteran's current kidney disorder, diagnosed as residuals of a Foley Y-V plasty surgery, is related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for direct service connection for diabetes mellitus and all secondary conditions, including as due to herbicide exposure. The decision found that his diabetes did not have its onset during active service or within one year thereafter, and it is not related to active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a scheduling error and requests for another hearing. The Veteran's claims for service connection for kidney failure, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension are still pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's renal cell carcinoma is at least as likely as not caused by his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially to his death due to COPD, prostate cancer, and chronic kidney disease. The examiner concluded that these conditions were less likely related to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's kidney disease was not incurred or aggravated by active service and is therefore denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his death from arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and thus grants service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and denied the claim of partial blindness. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is not compensable, but his TMJ disability warrants a non-compensable rating.

The Board has granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic kidney disease and diabetic neuropathy. The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions.