Kidney disease decisions — 2015

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, hypertensive heart disease, and chronic kidney disease. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing onset during or soon after service, nor was there any competent medical evidence linking these conditions to events in service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal as to his claim for service connection for chronic urinary tract infections due to a grant of service connection in a July 2015 rating decision. The remaining issue, regarding residuals of kidney cancer, is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his claim for an increased rating for bilateral knee disability and service connection for segmental glomerulosclerosis were both found to be lacking sufficient evidence.

The Board found that the cause of the Veteran's death (acute kidney injury, volume depletion, and coronary artery disease) was not related to his military service or any presumptive exposure to herbicides. The preponderance of evidence did not support a finding of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected right hand disability and his cause of death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and lumbar spine disability did not have their onset in service or within one year of service discharge.,There is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete development and inadequate examination reports. The Veteran is required to provide authorization for release of records from any non-VA healthcare providers who have treated him, and outstanding VA treatment records are requested.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current kidney and bladder conditions are not related to his in-service hemorrhagic fever infection, as evidenced by VA examination and medical opinion. The preponderance of evidence is against the claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for kidney cancer and liver disease, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his active service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his VA vocational rehabilitation file and any relevant treatment records. The AOJ should also seek to obtain SSA records and determine whether the Veteran is entitled to TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for hemorrhoids was denied due to failure to report for VA examinations. The claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, on the basis of herbicide exposure is denied as new and material evidence has not been received. Service connection for renal disability, vision impairment, and anemia are also denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed kidney disorder and thus, cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case to verify the Veteran's reported exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange. If confirmed, an oncologist will provide an opinion on whether the transitional cell carcinoma of the kidney that caused the Veteran's death is related to his alleged Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied service connection for cardiovascular disease, including residuals of a stroke and kidney failure, as well as bilateral below-the-knee amputations due to ischemia caused by heart disease.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant's authorized representative before a decision was made.

The Veteran's claim for additional special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(o) and 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(1) was denied as he does not meet the criteria for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(o).

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a kidney condition and granted it. Service connection was also granted for diabetes mellitus, type II, due to herbicide exposure. The claims for left lower extremity amputation as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II; right lower extremity amputation as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II; and an eye condition as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II are also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA clinician to provide an updated opinion regarding the relationship between his kidney cancer and exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection of the cause of the Veteran's death, but denied the claim due to lack of entitlement under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records. The issues of increased rating for PTSD and service connection for kidney cancer are pending.