Kidney disease decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death, metastasizing cancer of the pancreas and/or right kidney, was not caused or aggravated by his service, including exposure to vaccines or environmental toxins. As a result, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records, a new VA examination, and further review by a Decision Review Officer.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic renal failure, non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and peripheral vascular disease are being remanded due to the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and a scar have been denied as there is no evidence to support ratings in excess of the current noncompensable evaluations.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for kidney cancer.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to decide whether the Veteran's kidney cancer is related to service, including exposure to various chemicals and contaminants. Further development is needed to verify these exposures and provide an etiological opinion.

The Veteran's renal cell carcinoma is found to be service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in the Republic of Vietnam. The cause of death, renal cell carcinoma, is also found to be service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, Social Security Administration (SSA) records, and an addendum opinion regarding his service-connected renal calculi.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and service, except for hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's treatment from January 19, 2008 to January 22, 2008 was considered a continued medical emergency and the VA could not safely discharge or transfer him. The Veteran was transferred to VA inpatient rehabilitation on January 22, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal of all claims.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's renal cell carcinoma was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor is it due to herbicide exposure. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's joint pain and gastrointestinal/kidney problems were not found to be related to service, including as due to an undiagnosed illness or other qualifying chronic disability. The Veteran's tinea versicolor was rated at the lowest possible percentage.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, as there is no confirmed exposure to Agent Orange during his service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's polycystic kidney disease and hypertension are service-connected, with the latter being secondary to his service-connected polycystic kidney disease.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for renal disease and erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected disabilities have been granted. His diabetes rating has been reduced from 60% to 20%, effective September 19, 2016. The Veteran is also entitled to increased ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's kidney dysfunction is not service-connected, as his current diagnosis of medullary sponge kidney with recurrent urinary calculi and polycystic kidney disease was not caused by his diabetes.,His diabetes has been rated at 60% since February 17, 2004, and at 10% for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity since March 17, 2008.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and chronic kidney disease are being remanded for further development to determine if they are proximately due or aggravated by her service-connected asthma.