Kidney disease decisions — 2016

The Veteran's renal cell carcinoma of the left kidney is found to be related to his exposure to Agent Orange during service. The Veteran's anxiety disorder is also found to be related to his service-connected renal cancer.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development and consideration of service connection claims.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that no evidence supported herbicide exposure or a service-connected disability contributing to his death.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for prostatitis with UTI was denied as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's renal cancer is related to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's lung disability and renal cell carcinoma are being remanded for further development to determine their likely etiology, including whether they are related to herbicide exposure in service.

The Veteran's renal and respiratory cancers are being reviewed to determine if they are related to his military service, including herbicide exposure. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's renal cancer is found to be due to herbicide exposure, and the issue of service connection for hypertension is remanded. The rating for diabetes mellitus remains unchanged.

The Board found that the Veteran's renal condition, including his status post right nephrectomy, clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service. The Veteran's subsequent kidney failure is attributed to other conditions unrelated to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a kidney disorder and hypertension due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and related peripheral neuropathy, do not render him unemployable without regard to advancing age.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hemolytic anemia, hypertension, and end stage renal disease has been denied. The Board found no evidence of hepatitis or G6PD deficiency during the period on appeal, and thus could not establish a nexus to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his renal carcinoma and assessing the severity of his service-connected diabetes mellitus and PTSD.

The Veteran's renal cell carcinoma is found to be related to his active service, with the Board resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's nephrolithiasis has been rated at 30 percent since October 25, 2005. The Board finds that the Veteran met the schedular criteria for consideration of TDIU from October 25, 2005 to February 8, 2006, and from September 1, 2006 to July 21, 2011, and from September 30, 2011 to August 29, 2012. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in unemployability during these periods.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development on the issues of service connection for various conditions, including renal toxicity, vertigo, neurobehavioral effects, chronic athlete's foot, sleep apnea, and bilateral leg radiculopathy. The low back disability claim also requires further examination to assess its current level of severity.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The hypertension was rated at 10%, kidney stones at 10%, and the right thumb at noncompensable. The appeal is remanded due to new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for the VA to obtain and associate relevant treatment records, including those from podiatry and surgical services. The Veteran seeks compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for amputation of his right foot with a secondary kidney condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim as he passed away.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a connection between the Veteran's claimed conditions and his service, including herbicide exposure. The claims for service connection have been denied.