Kidney disease decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and special monthly compensation have been dismissed due to the limitation of appeal scope by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including verification of herbicide exposure and a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin rash, right renal mass, and high cholesterol have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if her hypertension and kidney disability are related to service. The issues of entitlement to service connection for both conditions will be addressed in light of any new evidence obtained during the remand process.

The Board found that the Veteran's end stage renal failure did not result from carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on the part of VA. The amputation was deemed necessary due to worsening diabetic ulcers and infection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back disability and diabetes mellitus, preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. As a result, TDIU is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a distinct bronchial disorder or disability manifested by dizziness and fatigue during his period of service. Addison's Disease was also not present until more than one year after service, and there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current chronic renal disease is not related to his service, including a burn injury and fall in October 1962. The medical evidence does not support a link between the Veteran's service-connected low back disability and his kidney condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's additional disabilities, including punctured diaphragm, renal failure, other organ failure, cardiac arrest, or scar, were not caused by VA carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or an event not reasonably foreseeable. Therefore, his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was denied.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and a kidney disorder, finding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure. The claim was also denied due to lack of continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is not service-connected as it was not incurred in or aggravated by service.,The Veteran's kidney cysts, lung disorder, and nerve disorders are not service-connected as they were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the Veteran's kidney disability is not related to military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a psychiatric disability was granted, but his attempt to reopen the kidney disorder claim was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a renal condition and spleen condition, both secondary to his service-connected NHL, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left kidney disability, including his renal cell carcinoma, is not related to his active duty service and does not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a Travel Board hearing due to inadequate notice of the time and place of the previously scheduled hearing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of direct or secondary service connection for any of the claimed conditions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied as there was no evidence to support a finding of direct service connection.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for decreased kidney function was denied as there was no evidence to support a finding of direct or secondary service connection.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for anemia was denied as there was no evidence to support a finding of direct or secondary service connection.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sexual dysfunction (erectile dysfunction) was denied as there was no evidence to support a finding of direct or secondary service connection.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was denied as there was no evidence to support a finding of direct service connection.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastrointestinal disability (GERD) was denied as there was no evidence to support a finding of direct or secondary service connection.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sixth cranial nerve palsy was denied as the evidence did not support a finding of direct or secondary service connection.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetic retinopathy was denied as there was no evidence to support a finding of direct service connection.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy was denied as there was no evidence to support a finding of direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lung condition and renal cell carcinoma. The claims are currently pending.

The Veteran's death was caused by metastatic retroperitoneal liposarcoma, which is presumed to be related to his exposure to herbicide agents during service in Thailand. The Board has found that the Veteran had direct exposure to herbicides and granted service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a prostate disorder or residuals of paratyphoid fever in service, and the competent medical evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service. The Veteran's current symptoms have developed many years after service.