Kidney disease decisions — 2017

The Veteran's skin cancer and kidney disability were not shown to be related to his military service or herbicide exposure.,Both conditions are currently diagnosed, but the evidence does not support a finding that they are directly related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's kidney cancer, diagnosed after service and not related to his military service or exposure to herbicide agents, does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's death was caused by liver failure due to pulmonary metastasis and renal cancer, with no service-connected disability contributing substantially or materially to his death. The VA examiner concluded that the cause of death was related to the Veteran's non-service connected renal cell carcinoma.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude her from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and thus, she is not entitled to a TDIU.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and the nonservice-connected death pension issue. The Appellant and her representative have requested a medical opinion on whether the Veteran's cause of death was related to his period of active duty service, including presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule him for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board found that the appellant's pre-existing back and kidney disabilities were not aggravated by service, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a kidney contusion are being remanded for additional examination and development due to complaints of worsening symptoms. The case will be reviewed again after the requested actions have been completed.

The Veteran's kidney disease is currently rated at 60 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating. The Veteran also contends for SMC in excess of level n, but the evidence shows no need for such additional benefits.

The Board found that the Veteran's kidney disability did not manifest in service and does not relate to service, including as due to radiation exposure. Therefore, service connection for a kidney disability is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a kidney condition due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD was reopened, and he is now entitled to a 50 percent disability rating for PTSD prior to January 22, 2016. His kidney cancer has been granted service connection on a presumptive basis due to exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran died of ischemic heart disease, which is service-connected based on his Vietnam service. The appellant's claim for non-service connected death pension benefits and her son's status as a dependent are dismissed due to the appellant receiving compensation for service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and determining the etiology of his sarcoidosis and kidney disability.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeal for an initial higher rating for kidney stones, indicating satisfaction with the 30 percent rating assigned.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left renal cancer, gastric cancer, and prostate disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the relationship of these conditions to his military service and presumed herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's renal cell carcinoma, diagnosed after service, is found to be related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents during active duty in Korea. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's chronic renal insufficiency is found to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected bladder cancer, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to January 15, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to treatment by the VA is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records from June 2002 to January 2003.