Kidney disease decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected bladder and kidney cancer are granted due to exposure at Camp Lejeune, with a current evaluation of 50% for PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's kidney removal and right renal cell carcinoma are not related to his active military service, as there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to an in-service injury or disease. The weight of the medical evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current disabilities were incurred during his time in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee, meniscal tear and tendonitis of the right knee, kidney condition, and PTSD have all been denied. The Board finds that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's renal cell carcinoma is presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board dismissed the issue of overpayment and denied compensation for chronic kidney disease as it was not caused by VA treatment, despite the Veteran's assertions. The evidence did not support a finding that VA care or treatment proximately caused the disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for kidney disease has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran has withdrawn all of the issues on appeal, including service connection, rating, and TDIU issues.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a chronic kidney disability that he believes was caused by his treatment of tuberculosis in service. The Board finds the current VA examination inadequate and requires a supplemental opinion to address whether the Veteran's current kidney condition is proximately due to, or aggravated by, his service-connected inactive pulmonary tuberculosis.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for service-connected history of rheumatic fever was withdrawn. The claim for secondary service connection for anxiety is denied. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for service-connected depression is denied. The claim for a compensable rating for service-connected Bell's palsy is denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and renal cell carcinoma, as well as secondary service connection for lytic lesions of the cervical spine, left hip, lumbar spine, right shoulder, and skull. The Veteran's claims were based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran is granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and renal disease, both of which are found to be due to herbicide exposure during his military service. The cause of the Veteran's death is also found to be related to these conditions.

The Veteran's kidney disorder was not shown in service or otherwise linked to his military service. His kidney disorder is not secondary to or aggravated by his non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or its treatment.,The Veteran's hypertension first noted in 2004, two years prior to the diagnosis of his non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and chemotherapy. The VA examiner opined that it is less likely than not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and verifying the Veteran's in-service stressor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, left shoulder arthritis, and polycystic kidney disease are not related to service. As a result, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability, renal failure, and dialysis scars did not have their onset in service or are related to service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain a VA medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and his death, as well as whether his renal cell carcinoma was related to herbicide exposure. The appellant will be given another opportunity to provide additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to the need for additional medical opinions and consideration of new evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's nephritic syndrome membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, also claimed as a renal condition, is not causally related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's painful scarring and recurrent node are not considered to be the result of VA medical treatment, rehabilitation program, or participation in a compensated work therapy program activity. The appeal is denied.

The Board denied service connection for dysthymic disorder with anxiety features, also claimed as anxiety and depression, to include as secondary to service-connected adenocarcinoma of prostate status post radical prostatectomy.,The Board also denied service connection for depression and anxiety disorder, to include as secondary to a renal cancer tumor.