Kidney disease decisions — 2018

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that neither his service-connected PTSD and diabetes mellitus nor any exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam caused or contributed substantially to his death.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as service-connected. The claims for unstable angina, hypertension, umbilical hernia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and chronic renal insufficiency are denied.

The claim for service connection for the cause of death is denied because there is no evidence linking the Veteran's fatal renal cancer to his military service, including alleged herbicide exposure.,The claim for burial benefits is also denied as the Veteran was not receiving any VA compensation or pension at the time of his death and had no next of kin.

The Veteran's hepatocellular carcinoma was caused by exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. His hepatitis B and kidney spleen shunt were not caused by his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical opinions.

Service connection for renal cell carcinoma and right upper extremity disorder are restored, while the issues of service connection for recurrent bladder disorder and proctitis remain pending.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus II, Charcot’s arthropathy, left foot deformity, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic foot ulcer, kidney condition, and diabetic bilateral lower extremity neuropathy are all granted service connection. The loss of use of creative organ, hypertension, acquired psychiatric disability, and dental conditions are remanded for further development.

Service connection for a right shoulder disorder, diabetes mellitus, type II, and kidney disorder is denied.,The Veteran's right shoulder disorder was not shown to be related to service. Diabetes mellitus, type II, did not manifest within one year of service discharge and is not caused by his service-connected knee disability. The Veteran's kidney disorder is also not shown to be related to service or due to diabetes mellitus.,The evidence does not establish a direct relationship between the Veteran’s conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's kidney disability, claimed as renal toxicity, is not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking the condition to his military service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for hypertension and kidney disease, as well as the claim for TDIU due to the need for additional development. The Veteran's hypertension is being reviewed again with a new VA examination to determine its relationship to his service, while his kidney disease will be evaluated in conjunction with this decision.

The Board dismissed the appeals for increased rating of hypertension, secondary service connection for diabetes and chronic renal disease due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and its related complications, prostate disability/benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), adrenal gland tumor, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities have been denied as there is no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD and hypertension as secondary to PTSD. The claims for residuals of a back injury, kidney condition, nerve condition, and hearing loss are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's development of Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)/Heart Disease due to the prescribing of Rosiglitazone in October 2002.

The appeal concerning service connection for avascular necrosis and compensable rating for erectile dysfunction is dismissed. Service connection for renal cancer, PTSD, bilateral foot disability, and lumbar spine disease is granted with a 70% initial rating for PTSD effective July 27, 2009.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for Multiple Sclerosis and Urinary Retention with Obstructive Uropathy (claimed as kidney failure due to exposure to environmental hazards at Camp Lejeune). Specifically, VA needs to obtain the Veteran’s private medical records from Dr. S and schedule him for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his MS and kidney disorder.

The Veteran's renal cell cancer and its residuals are found to be at least as likely as not related to his in-service asbestos exposure, thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 2, 2005 for the award of service connection for radiculopathy of the right upper extremity is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 11, 2005 for the award of a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD is denied.

The Board denied the appellant's request for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death, as her petition to reopen a claim was not received until October 1, 2010.

The Veteran's kidney cancer is granted as service connected due to exposure at Camp Lejeune, a presumed exposure area.