Kidney disease decisions — 2017

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no jurisdiction remains for further action.

The Veteran's multiple disabilities, including his vision disorders and other health conditions, have resulted in him needing regular aid and attendance from another person since September 8, 2016. His income does not exceed the maximum annual pension rate for nonservice-connected disability pension.

The Veteran's chronic kidney disease and prostate cancer were not found to be related to his active duty service, including exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and possibly a further examination. The issues are whether he has service connection for lung disability and post-left-nephrectomy renal cancer due to exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's combined schedular disability rating was 100 percent, and he is contending that he is unemployable due to a combination of these same service-connected disabilities. The criteria for the assignment of a TDIU are not met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain missing service treatment records and VA examination opinions regarding his stomach disability, skin cancer, coronary artery disease, right shoulder disability, and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's kidney condition and diabetes mellitus have not met the criteria for a higher rating prior to specific dates, with no evidence of significant renal dysfunction or severe diabetic complications.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for multiple lipomas, bilateral kidney disorder, hypertension, fatigue, memory loss, right lung disorder, and bladder disorder are all denied as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or PTSD. The Veteran's high cholesterol claim is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected chronic renal dysfunction with hypertension, status post left nephrectomy with residual scar was granted and assigned an effective date of May 8, 2014. The earlier effective date for the 60% evaluation is not established.

The Veteran's death was due to promyelocytic leukemia, with underlying causes of chronic renal failure, diabetes, and ischemic cardiomyopathy. There is no evidence linking a cold injury or its residuals to the cause of death.

The Veteran's death was due to renal cell carcinoma metastatic to the liver, with lung cancer contributing. The service-connected conditions did not play a principal role in his death.

The Board found no evidence of a low back disorder or kidney stones that were incurred in service, and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death, renal cancer, was not related to his service and denied both claims.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, kidney disorder, edema, neuropathy, left foot disorder, and right foot/ankle disorder. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of any of these conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD is not attributable to or related to service.,The Veteran's hernia condition, diagnosed as a hiatal hernia, is not attributable to or related to service.,The Veteran's kidney stones are not attributable to or related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension and cardiovascular disease are not related to his service, including Operation Whitecoat. The kidney disability is also not linked to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's renal failure due to HUS status-post renal transplant with normal renal function, left radical nephrectomy for cancer of the kidney is etiologically related to service and grants this claim.

The Veteran's hypertension, kidney disorder, and erectile dysfunction are all service-connected. The Board granted service connection for these conditions with a rating of 70 percent for dysthymic disorder with anxiety symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for a respiratory disability (diagnosed as pneumonia) and a kidney disability (diagnosed as chronic kidney disease), both found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and an acquired psychiatric disability. Service connection is also granted for arthritis (right shoulder) but not OSA.