Kidney disease decisions — 2016

The Board found that the Veteran's bladder disorder is not service-connected as it is not a disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by service, and specifically denied service connection for his bladder disorder on the basis of secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's multicystic renal cell carcinoma was not incurred in or aggravated by military service and it did not manifest itself to a compensable degree in the first post-service year. Therefore, service connection for multicystic renal cell carcinoma is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his exposure to Agent Orange. The claim for an earlier effective date is also pending.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a kidney disability has been denied as she does not have a current kidney disability.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn regarding the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for hypertension and alternating diarrhea and constipation, as well as service connection for low white blood cell count, nausea, fever and chills, a urinary disability, constant abnormal EKGs, heart murmur and borderline cardiac enlargement, Coumadin toxicity, joint pain, constant vaginal dryness, night sweats, easy bruising/bleeding, tortous descending aorta, unstable creatinine levels, and for earlier effective dates for the award of service connection for painful scars of the anterior trunk, left upper extremity, alternating diarrhea and constipation, anemia, hyperparathyroidism, and headaches.,The Veteran's appeal was also withdrawn regarding her claims for service connection for breast cancer and residuals of a total hysterectomy.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the possible correlation between Agent Orange exposure and renal cell carcinoma.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current urinary and kidney disorders to her service, including in-service diagnoses of UTIs and pyelonephritis. The VA examiners concluded that there was no causal relationship between her in-service conditions and her current disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to issues related to service connection for end stage renal disease, hypertension, and a chronic back disability. The claims are inextricably intertwined with the claim of service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals of a colonoscopy, including bone and blood disorder (including hepatitis C), bladder cancer, neo bladder, groin cancer, and bladder/prostate/kidney issues is denied as there is no evidence that the claimed conditions were caused by VA care or treatment.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, kidney disability, respiratory disability other than lung cancer (including throat cancer), and sleep apnea due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active duty service or presumed exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the claims for further evidentiary development, including obtaining medical records and a VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the appellant's request for withdrawal prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a video conference hearing at the RO in accordance with the appellant's request. The claim of service connection for kidney failure remains pending and will be reconsidered after the hearing.

The Veteran is seeking compensation for additional disabilities resulting from VA treatment, specifically aortobifemoral bypass surgery and Heparin administration. He contends these resulted in thrombocytopenia and renal disease due to negligence by the VA.

Your claim for service connection for removal of the left kidney has been granted.

The Veteran's urothelial carcinoma of the left renal pelvis was not incurred or aggravated during his active duty service, and there is no evidence linking it to exposure to herbicides. The Board finds that service connection for this condition cannot be established.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea and a kidney disability, finding that there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and dismissed the claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 as moot.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete development and the inextricability of issues.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 and service connection are all denied as the evidence does not support a finding of exposure to herbicides or other conditions related to his claimed disabilities.