Kidney disease decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability has been granted, rendering the issue moot. The case is being remanded for further development of his increased rating claim for kidney disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for heart disease, residuals of gallstone surgery, hypertension, kidney condition, left knee disability, and prostate condition. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was found to be incurred or aggravated in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including pneumonia and respiratory failure, substantially contributed to his death by causing or contributing to his cause of death: pneumonia and renal failure.

The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the right tonsil with metastasis to the right cervical lymph nodes is not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking it to his military service. His renal insufficiency is also not service-connected as secondary to his treatment for tonsillar cancer, as there is no direct service connection established.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and a renal condition are mixed. The appeal is based on presumed exposure to herbicides during his Vietnam service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral shin splints and urolithiasis were not incurred or aggravated by service, with the exception of the urolithiasis being related to hypertension medication. The claims are denied.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed to have been incurred during active duty. The Board finds that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides in Vietnam and grants service connection for ischemic heart disease as a result of such exposure.

The Board has found new and material evidence for the claims of service connection for a low back disability, kidney disability, headaches, and hypertension. The Veteran's current disabilities are not due to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's fatal metastatic renal cell carcinoma was caused by his presumed exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange. As a result, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and development of evidence, including consideration of Social Security Administration records and private treatment from Dr. Collins.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a BVA videoconference hearing. The claims of service connection, effective date determinations, and special monthly compensation are all pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule him for a hearing before the Board at his local office. The claims of service connection for hypertension, kidney disability, and bilateral knee disability are still pending.

The VA determined that the Veteran's renal insufficiency and left kidney nephrectomy are not service-connected, and it was found that diabetes mellitus type II did not aggravate these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a kidney disorder and fibromyalgia have been reopened, but the evidence does not support granting these claims.

The Veteran is appealing the denial of service connection for various conditions, including disseminated intravascular coagulation with renal cortical necrosis, pulmonary embolism, arrhythmia, cellulitis, high cholesterol, and bilateral nuclear cataracts and left eye open angle glaucoma. The appeal will be remanded to allow for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as acute respiratory arrest, pneumonia, atrial fibrillation, and acute renal failure. The VA physician concluded that these conditions were not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking them to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and its secondary conditions of hypertension and renal failure has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran before a decision was made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left kidney disorder and cancer secondary to herbicide exposure is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to determine the types of chemicals the Veteran was exposed to during active duty service and whether these exposures are related to his end stage renal disease or Parkinson's disease.

The Board found no evidence of in-service injury or disease, including no chronic in-service symptoms of disability of the kidney, skin, eyes, or lungs. The Veteran was not exposed to ionizing radiation during service and there is no competent medical opinion linking his current disabilities to service.