Kidney disease decisions — 2015

The Veteran's kidney stones are rated at a noncompensable level, but the Board has determined that he is entitled to a rating of 30 percent effective February 2, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's kidney stones with ureterolithiasis were granted a higher rating to 60 percent, effective May 29, 2015. The TDIU was also granted effective that date.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking his death to any service-connected disability or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional development of his service connection claim.

The Veteran's death was caused by multiple conditions, none of which are service-connected. The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and also denied the claim for accrued benefits.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective July 24, 2006. The Board has also granted a TDIU for the period from February 18, 2012 to January 2013.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted service connection due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during his military service.,Service connection for the adrenal mass has been reopened based on new evidence, but its direct relationship to service remains unclear.

The Veteran's renal failure is not deemed to be caused by VA treatment, as the proximate cause was dehydration.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine the cause of death and whether lung cancer is a separate disease from renal/kidney cancer or if it metastasized from renal/kidney cancer. The Veteran's cause of death will be determined, as well as any contributing conditions.

The Board denied service connection for kidney stones, abdominal pain, urine color changes (hematuria), bladder disorder, skin rash, and foot discoloration as due to exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's claims were found to be based on new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have herbicide exposure in Vietnam or any other country, and therefore cannot establish service connection for his claimed conditions based on herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or service connection in all cases.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 for kidney and cardiovascular system disabilities, finding that there was no additional disability resulting from VA treatment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's renal cell kidney cancer is presumed to have been caused by exposure to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination regarding his service-connected renal cell carcinoma, left kidney status post nephrectomy (to include urinary incontinence), and because of the need to obtain any recent VA treatment records. Additionally, the issue of individual unemployability (TDIU) is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim being remanded.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, as secondary to in-service herbicide exposure.,Service connection is also granted for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and obstructive sleep apnea, both found to be related to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the substantive appeal regarding bilateral knee osteoarthritis. The remaining claims have not met the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for entitlement to service connection for a right hip disorder, entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disorder, and entitlement to an increased rating for a cervical spine disorder prior to the Board's decision. As such, these issues are dismissed.

The Board found that the Veteran's additional disabilities were not caused by VA medical treatment, and thus denied his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. � 1151.