Kidney disease decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to January 20, 2009. However, for the period on appeal from January 20, 2009 onward, his service-connected disabilities, as likely as not, precluded him from obtaining or maintaining such employment.

The Veteran's chronic kidney disease, stage III has not been productive of renal dysfunction with constant albumin or recurring with hyaline and granular casts or red blood cells; or, transient or slight edema or hypertension at least 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 7101. Therefore, an initial compensable rating is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's kidney stones, bilateral knee disability, neck disability, and low back disability are not service-connected as they do not have a direct link to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's metastatic renal cancer and skin cancer were not present during his period of active service or for many years thereafter, and the preponderance of evidence did not show a connection to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an updated examination for PTSD and issuance of a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC).

The Board finds that the Veteran's coronary artery disease, which is presumed to be related to his in-service herbicide exposure, contributed to his cause of death. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for microalbuminuria (claimed as kidney defect), peptic ulcer, yeast infections, anemia, hematuria and pyelonephritis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, type 2, erectile dysfunction, renal dysfunction, and heart disorder were denied as they are not service-connected based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to a VLJ leaving the Board's employment and not scheduling a videoconference hearing as requested by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran and missing private treatment records. A new VA examination is required for a determination on service connection for gout and chronic kidney disease.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of back and internal injuries, residuals of a concussion, and chronic renal insufficiency (claimed as kidney disease) have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, the Board has not determined whether these conditions are related to his military service.,Service connection was denied for residuals of back and internal injuries in 1965, but the Veteran submitted new evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim (the presence of residual disabilities from a 1963 jeep accident).,The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a concussion and chronic renal insufficiency have also been reopened. The Board found that there is no new evidence submitted, but the Veteran has provided additional medical opinions indicating possible connections to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU, and there is no evidence showing he is unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions, including back, hip, shoulder, knee, prostate cancer, colon cancer, kidney condition, bladder condition, hypertension, head injury from dizziness, headaches, and depression have been denied. The left hand scar is rated as noncompensable.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting opinions and additional evidence. The appellant's claim will be reconsidered based on all available evidence.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of a kidney disorder and finds that the Veteran does not have a kidney disorder attributable to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for kidney stones, finding that the Veteran's condition was asymptomatic and not manifested by frequent attacks of colic or infection requiring catheter drainage.

The Veteran's kidney disability, diabetes mellitus, and cardiac disability are related to service.

The Board found no evidence of lupus erythematosus or kidney transplant residuals in service, and the Veteran's statements regarding hospitalizations are not credible. Therefore, service connection for both conditions is denied.