Kidney disease decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because he died during the pendency of his appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and denied both claims for service connection for the cause of death and DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and clarification of private audiological examinations. The issues of hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and PTSD are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bladder cancer, prostate cancer, and renal cell carcinoma due to potential service connection based on exposure at Camp Lejeune. The claims are inextricably intertwined as they all relate to the same exposure issue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for kidney cancer is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding potential causes of his condition, including treatment for his service-connected cervical and lumbar spinal disorders.

The Veteran's initial rating for nephrolithiasis (kidney stones) was increased to 30 percent effective October 7, 2015. The case remains on appeal as the Veteran is seeking higher ratings prior to that date.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals on all ten issues of service connection. The Board does not have jurisdiction to review these matters.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development of his claims.,The Veteran seeks service connection for depression and a skin disability of the bilateral legs (presumed to be chloracne) as a result of herbicide exposure. The Board finds that further evidence is needed before these claims can be decided.,The Veteran seeks service connection for jungle rash of the bilateral feet. Further evidence is needed before this claim can be decided.,The Veteran seeks service connection for chronic fatigue, gastrointestinal disability, increased sensitivity to heat, cardiovascular disease, liver disability, and kidney disability as a result of herbicide exposure. The Board finds that further evidence is needed before these claims can be decided.,,,,,

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's kidney disability is related to service or radiation exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for the claimed conditions and assigned an initial disability rating of 10 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected discoid lupus erythematosus did not cause or contribute to his primary and contributory causes of death, including sepsis, anemia, pneumonia, renal failure, COPD, and AVM.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic respiratory disorder, skin condition, or renal cell carcinoma that was incurred in service. The Veteran's conditions were not related to his military service, including exposure to asbestos or chemicals.

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing certificate is granted. The special home adaptation grant claim is denied as moot.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability.,VA awarded death pension benefits to the Appellant, as she met income and net worth requirements.

The Board finds that the Veteran's son, D.T., is not entitled to recognition as a helpless child of the Veteran due to his permanent incapacity for self-support prior to attaining age 18. The evidence does not establish that D.T.'s ADHD and other conditions render him permanently incapable of self-support.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for kidney disability, heart disability, and sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining VA treatment records, confirming dates of Reserve service, scheduling VA examinations, and adjudicating the issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a previously disallowed claim of hypertension.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and finds that his acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is related to service. The decision grants service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder but denies hypertension, kidney stones, low back disability, and cysts on the neck and ears.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an opinion from a VA podiatrist regarding the Veteran's right foot disability and scheduling him for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected kidney stone disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for any of the claimed conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, erectile dysfunction, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, kidney disorder, and polyneuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities. The claims are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a cognitive disability, diagnosed as cognitive disorder not otherwise specified (NOS), based on the Veteran's exposure to mercury in service and her reported symptoms.