Kidney disease decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's kidney disease is related to his service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension is being remanded due to missing VA medical records and Social Security Administration records. The Veteran has ESRD and asserts he should also be awarded a special monthly pension for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's kidney disease, diabetes, and neuropathy conditions are service-connected. The rating for diabetes is granted at the 20% level, while ratings for other conditions remain at their current levels.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment during the period from June 17, 2010 to November 30, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for orthostatic proteinuria and kidney disease was denied as there is no current disability exhibited by these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and VA treatment records. The claims of service connection for cause of death, DIC pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151, and DIC pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. � 1318 will be reconsidered after the additional development is completed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left kidney cancer and associated residuals is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination with an appropriate specialist, specifically a nephrologist or oncologist.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of colon cancer, benign adrenal disease, and myofibroblastic sarcoma as they are not shown to be related to military service or exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board has ordered additional medical opinions to determine if the Veteran had ischemic heart disease, its relation to service and Agent Orange exposure, diabetes mellitus' relation to hypertension and renal disease, and whether these conditions contributed to his death. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the Veteran's renal cancer and hypertension. The issues of service connection for prostate cancer, kidney cancer, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and TDIU are inextricably intertwined with the renal cancer claim.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including renal cell carcinoma, left nephrectomy, pulmonary disorder (black spots on lungs), skin disorder, thyroid disorder, goiter, and neurological disorders of the upper and lower extremities. The effective date was not established as the claim was filed after October 1, 1984.

The Veteran's claim for prostate cancer was reopened and granted due to in-service herbicide exposure. Claims for skin condition, kidney condition, neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities, and heart condition are pending.

The VA determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and thus denied his claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral knee disability and kidney disability. The examiner will need to consider whether these disabilities are related to service or secondary to his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of intestinal resection of ileum with adhesions were rated at 40 percent prior to August 21, 2007 and from October 1, 2007. The Board found that the disability picture did not warrant a higher rating during these periods.

The Veteran's death was not caused by or a result of his service-connected prostate cancer. The Board found that the cause of death, acute renal failure and congestive heart failure, were not related to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn for the issues of entitlement to service connection for cholesterol, short-term memory loss, diabetes mellitus, eligibility for a non-service connected pension, and TDIU. The claim of service connection for hypertension has been reopened due to new evidence received since the April 2009 rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for benign prostatic hypertrophy was denied as there is no evidence of a disease or injury incurred in service. The Board found that the Veteran's BPH is not related to his hypertension.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for polycystic kidney disease and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to insufficient medical nexus opinions.

The Veteran's hypertension has been granted service connection in conjunction with their already service-connected renal disease. There are no remaining issues of controversy regarding the issue of entitlement to service connection for hypertension.