Kidney disease decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is granted for kidney cancer, presumed to be due to exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's kidney cancer is presumed to be connected to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune. The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for his right knee condition, left knee condition, and right shoulder conditions based on a presumption of exposure to contaminated water.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and end stage renal disease, as well as his right hand, knee, and heel disabilities. The decision also found that new evidence did not warrant reopening of these claims.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is service-connected as secondary to his service-connected PTSD and depression. His asthma is found not to have been aggravated by his active duty service, but he has no current diagnosis of COPD or kidney disease. The Board grants Section 1151 benefits for urinary incontinence and leakage resulting from the TURP, but denies Section 1151 benefits for retrograde ejaculation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to an inadequate August 2015 VA examination. The Veteran's claims for bilateral kidney cysts, benign scrotal cysts, and skin condition are related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board finds that the Veteran's renal cell carcinoma is not related to his active service, including presumed exposure to Agent Orange. The most probative evidence does not support a causal link between the condition and service.

The Veteran's hypertension and genitourinary disorders are not service connected, either presumptively or secondary to PTSD. The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of PTSD and referral for extraschedular consideration. The Veteran is granted TDIU.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for chronic tonsillitis and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The other claims remain pending.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, ischemic heart disease (diagnosed as coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation), PTSD, peripheral vascular disease due to service-connected diabetes mellitus Type II, and diabetic nephropathy due to service-connected diabetes mellitus Type II. The Veteran's vision problems are not considered a disability for which service connection may be granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gout is related to his service-connected hypertensive cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, elevated PSA, macular edema with retinopathy, and a renal condition were denied as there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's HCC, kidney spleen shunt, and hepatitis B are not related to his active service. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to review the appeal.

The Veteran's cause of death was not related to his service or a service-connected disability, including his service-connected bronchial asthma.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant's attorney prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's death was not caused by VA hospital care, medical or surgical treatment. The Board found that the Veteran's death has not been demonstrated as being due to VA medical care and denied the claim of entitlement to compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection for kidney cancer and hypertension, which are not presumed to be related to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence of a current kidney, foot, or leg disability noted during the pendency of the appeal. The Veteran's claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than February 13, 2012 for service connection for a nephrosclerosis (claimed as kidney disease) secondary to his acquired mental disorder was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date of October 14, 2011 for service connection for an acquired mental disorder was granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities of diabetes mellitus, type II; heart condition; hypertension; and cancer of the kidneys were not incurred in or related to service, including exposure to herbicides. The claims are therefore denied.