Kidney disease decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung disabilities, to include obstructive and restrictive lung defects, are related to his exposure during service. The Veteran's jaw bone condition is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's arrhythmia and renal stenosis are granted service connection on a direct basis, as the evidence does not support causation by service-connected hepatitis C. The Veteran's renal stenosis is also granted service connection due to aggravation of a non-service connected condition (Tacrolimus).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeals regarding increased ratings for lumbar myositis, tarsal tunnel syndrome, and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been withdrawn. The claims of service connection for bilateral ankle disabilities, bilateral knee disabilities, kidney disability, sleep problems, bilateral elbow disabilities, and bilateral hand disabilities were denied as there is no evidence that any such conditions were incurred or aggravated during active service.

The Board has ordered additional development of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining private treatment records and providing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and chronic kidney disease are not related to his military service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining additional medical records. The appellant's need for aid and attendance or housebound status will be evaluated.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for a kidney condition is also granted based on herbicide exposure during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's kidney disease was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and denied this claim. For his tinnitus, the Board granted service connection as it is due to noise exposure during military service.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction, PTSD, and bilateral hearing loss disability. The Veteran's current diagnoses of these conditions are supported by competent medical evidence, and the causal relationship between his service-connected diabetes mellitus and PTSD is established.

The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss disability, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, kidney disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), alcohol abuse disorder, acid reflux, and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral sensorineural hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification regarding exposure to Camp Lejeune and environmental toxins.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, hypertension, and a kidney disorder are all being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification.,The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification regarding in-service psychiatric treatment records and diagnoses.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for alcohol abuse disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification regarding the relationship between his alcohol use and any diagnosed mental health conditions.,The Veteran's claim for acid reflux is being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification.,The Veteran's claim for hypertension is being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification.

The claims of entitlement to service connection for right hip, left hip, and back conditions have been reopened. The Veteran's knee conditions are also pending.,Service connection for a kidney disability is not warranted.

The Veteran's disability was rated at 30 percent from June 14, 2007. The rating has been increased to 80 percent as of July 15, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer has been reopened and granted due to his exposure to herbicides during service.,Service connection is also granted for kidney cancer, skin cancer, COPD, urinary incontinence as secondary to prostate cancer, and a psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's cause of death was not found to be service-connected, and the DIC claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is denied due to lack of evidence of herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's bladder cancer was at least as likely as not caused by in-service herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's bladder cancer substantially contributed to his death.,The Veteran's metastatic kidney cancer was at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected bladder cancer.,The Veteran's metastatic lung cancer was at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected bladder cancer.

The Board finds that service-connected bilateral lower extremity venous insufficiency contributed substantially and materially to the Veteran's death, granting entitlement to service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board found that the Veteran's condition was stable on August 26, and he refused transfer to a VA facility due to his preference for paying out-of-pocket at a private facility. Therefore, the treatment provided did not meet the criteria for 'emergency treatment' as defined by law.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for multiple myeloma, anemia, chronic kidney disease, prostate disability, and gastrointestinal disability is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his service in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, which was caused by his in-service herbicide exposure (Agent Orange), contributed to his death from neuroendocrine cancer. The chronic kidney disease also developed due to his diabetes and contributed to his treatment options for his cancer.