Kidney disease decisions — 2017

The earliest date it is factually ascertainable that the Veteran was totally disabled by reason of individual unemployability due to service connected disability is December 7, 2010, the date the combined disability ratings were increased to 70 percent.

The Board found no evidence linking any service-connected condition to the Veteran's death or contributing substantially to his death. The cause of death was listed as respiratory failure due to end stage emphysema, with other conditions contributing such as congestive heart failure and chronic kidney disease.

The Board found that the cause of the Veteran's death, metastatic renal cell carcinoma with lung involvement and respiratory failure, was not caused or aggravated by his active duty service, including exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that no service-connected disability caused or contributed substantially to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome due to Gulf War Syndrome. The kidney stones claim is remanded as additional medical examination and opinion are needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension and kidney disability due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations. The Veteran will need additional VA examinations to address these issues, and a statement of the case will be issued regarding the kidney disability claim.

The Veteran's service connection claims for liver condition (Hepatitis C), heart condition, kidney condition, lung condition, back condition, brain damage, and emotional/behavioral problems have all been granted. The claim for meningitis remains denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for kidney disability, heart disability, and sleep apnea due to pending issues related to hypertension. The claims will be adjudicated again once the issue of whether new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for hypertension is resolved.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Counseling records. Additionally, new examinations are needed for his bilateral knee disabilities, inguinal hernia residuals, kidney stone residuals, and hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's service-connected left hip disability contributed to his death, and the Board finds that this disability is a contributory cause of his death.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected disabilities was 90 percent on February 3, 2011, and he has at least one disability rated higher than 40 percent. The criteria for a TDIU are met due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's cause of death was determined to be sudden cardiac death caused by atherosclerotic heart disease. The service-connected back disability is not considered the principal or contributory cause of death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic kidney condition is related to his exposure to insecticide during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the cause of death (heart failure) was not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, renal cell carcinoma and partial nephrectomy of left kidney, coronary artery disease (CAD), hypertension, and erectile dysfunction, significantly impair his ability to work. The Board finds that these disabilities preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, hypertension, rash of the face and scalp, erectile dysfunction, renal insufficiency, and sinus disorder are denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship to his active service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's adrenal gland failure is caused by his service-connected regional enteritis (Crohn's disease) and prednisone use.

The Board has denied service connection for a kidney disability, right foot disability (including plantar wart), and heart disability.,The Veteran's current complaints do not meet the criteria for service connection in these cases.

The Veteran's renal cell carcinoma status post right radical nephrectomy is related to his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.