Kidney disease decisions — 2017

The Veteran developed additional disabilities of congestive heart failure, non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, and Stage III chronic kidney disease after his December 2008 VA hospitalization for left inner thigh cellulitis/infection. The Board found that these conditions were not caused by the VA treatment provided during this period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for kidney disability, costochondritis, and coronary artery disease (CAD) with chest pain. The decisions were final due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected residuals of nephrectomy with partial adrenalectomy, finding that he does not have renal dysfunction associated with this disability.

The Board has granted a TDIU for the period from March 13, 2009, to December 4, 2012. The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, diverticulitis, and large kidney mass are remanded due to procedural issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic kidney disease and diabetes mellitus, finding that his NODs were untimely and that he did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of exposure to herbicides during active duty.

The Board found that the Veteran's rectal cancer and renal cancer are not related to his active service, including exposure to herbicides. The claims were denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's non-functioning left kidney and chronic kidney disease are related to his military service, specifically hypertension which had its onset during service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of chronic kidney disease was denied as the earliest date entitlement arose is January 21, 2011. The RO granted service connection and assigned a 60 percent rating for chronic kidney disease secondary to use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for his back pain.

The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from the VA examiner regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his service-connected kidney disorder and diabetes mellitus. The issue of increased rating for diabetes mellitus remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's left kidney cancer, status post nephrectomy, was not shown to be incurred in or aggravated by service and is not associated with exposure to ionizing radiation. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned an effective date of October 15, 2010. The Veteran's claims for other conditions remain pending.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and chronic renal failure, finding that these conditions had their onset during service. The Veteran's kidney problems are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have service in the Republic of Vietnam and was not otherwise exposed to Agent Orange, and his renal cell carcinoma was not related to service in any other way. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is denied.

The Veteran's death was caused by sepsis, as a consequence of renal failure and esophageal cancer. The cause of his GERD symptoms during his inpatient stay at the VA domiciliary unit prevented him from preventing or identifying early-stage esophageal cancer, leading to his untimely death.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is presumed due to herbicide exposure during service. The Board grants an earlier effective date for renal disease with coronary artery disease and hypertensive heart disease, as the Veteran qualifies as a Nehmer class member.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and its relation to his military service, specifically exposure to Agent Orange. The appellant seeks service connection for the cause of her husband's death.

The Veteran's kidney stones have been rated at the maximum available rating of 30 percent since November 21, 2005.,Service connection for a right foot disability has also been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and kidney mass are not related to his military service, including herbicide exposure. As such, he is not entitled to service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have an enlarged prostate or kidney disability related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.