Kidney disease decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran's kidney disorder was not incurred or aggravated in service, including due to herbicide agent exposure. The preponderance of evidence is against finding a connection between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and need for medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including gout, lumbar spine disability, bilateral knee disabilities, rhinitis, kidney disability (chronic renal failure and bilateral renal cysts), hypertension, cystitis, erectile dysfunction, and migraines. The appeals are now resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and determining whether VA examinations are necessary.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses for most of his claimed conditions and finds no evidence to support service connection for these disorders. The only condition found by the Board with a possible link to service is dementia, but this was many years after service.

The Veteran's kidney disorder (Nephrolithiasis) is considered to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,Hypertension has not been established as being related to the Veteran's military service, including exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has denied service connection for a back condition. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2, which was presumed to have been incurred during service, contributed to his death. As a result, the appeal for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung cancer and acute renal failure were not caused by exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, and thus denied service connection for cause of death.

The Board previously denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on a need for aid and attendance or housebound status. The appeal is now remanded to address issues of service connection, including those related to bilateral knee disorders, postoperative residuals of bladder cancer and kidney cancer (secondary to Agent Orange exposure), and an eye disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his hypertension and chronic renal failure. The claims are inextricably intertwined due to the secondary service connection aspect.

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with depressed mood was denied, but he received a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability. The Veteran also received separate ratings for radiculopathy of each lower extremity and an earlier effective date for the award of 10 percent ratings.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. No service connection decision can be made as the claim is moot.

The Veteran's kidney disease is not service-connected due to lack of in-service exposure or manifestation, and the Board finds no nexus between his current condition and active duty.

The Board found that the Veteran's kidney disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder were not incurred or aggravated during service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is found to be secondary to his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities.,An initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus is denied, as the evidence does not show that it requires insulin or a restricted diet.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, hypertension with heart involvement, and renal insufficiency required treatment including insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities from October 14, 2004 to September 12, 2008. A higher rating is not warranted during this period.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of exposure to herbicides during service, and the Veteran's prostate cancer was not diagnosed or treated in service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran served in close proximity to an area where herbicide agents were used on or near the perimeter of NKP Royal Thai Air Base during his Vietnam War service. As such, diabetes is granted as presumptively related to herbicide exposure.