Kidney disease decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for scheduling a Board video-conference hearing.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right foot fracture and lung disorder, as well as service connection for a vision disorder, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support the Veteran's assertions of secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for renal cell carcinoma, tooth loss and acute and subacute peripheral neuropathy are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding alleged herbicide exposure in Panama.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion regarding the cause of death, specifically addressing whether the service-connected gunshot wound residuals and low back disability with radiculopathy, including pain medication use, caused or materially contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeals are inextricably intertwined with his claim for service connection for hypertension. The claims will be remanded to consider the Veteran's exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and a VA examination is required.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's death and whether his service-connected disabilities contributed to or hastened his death. The appellant claims that her husband was exposed to herbicides during service, had complications from his service-connected conditions, and did not have active cancers prior to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for bladder cancer involving the distal right ureter and non-functioning kidney, finding that exposure to arsenic-laced herbicides during service is related to the Veteran's condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's kidney disorder is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and missing records, including service treatment records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's hypertension is being evaluated for its onset during his active duty or ACDUTRA, and whether it caused or aggravated his renal disease.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. The issues of entitlement to initial compensable disability ratings and service connection are not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to verify his exposure to chemicals and ionizing radiation during active service, as well as additional development of the inextricably intertwined issue of diabetes mellitus.

The Board finds that the Veteran's nail fungus, left hand is related to service and grants service connection. The Veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including an opinion on whether the Veteran's polycystic kidney disease was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a review of his service connection claims, including possible reconsideration based on new evidence.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine if it is related to his active service, including the reported in-service incident during basic training.,A neck disability is also being remanded for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has a current condition and whether it is related to his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle, left ankle, and kidney disabilities are not related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for kidney cancer, which he contends is related to his military service and exposure to herbicides. The case has been remanded due to inadequate VA opinions.

The Board has remanded the case for a clarification of the etiology of the Veteran's kidney cancer, specifically addressing whether it is related to his military service and herbicide exposure.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for residuals of a left kidney malignant neoplasm and hepatitis B, finding new and material evidence. The kidney disorder is presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during service in Vietnam, while hepatitis B may also be associated with Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right leg disorder, left leg disorder, erectile dysfunction, bilateral knee disorder, diabetes mellitus, kidney disorder, headaches, eye disorder, heart disorder, prostate disorder, neurological disorder, and gastrointestinal disorders. The decision was based on secondary service connection.