Kidney disease decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for chronic kidney disease, stroke, and erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's right upper and lower extremity weakness were also denied as secondary to the stroke.,There is no evidence of a current diagnosis of erectile dysfunction or that it is at least as likely as not related to active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C, vasculitis secondary to hepatitis C, chronic renal insufficiency secondary to hepatitis C, and hypertension secondary to chronic renal insufficiency. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to his active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral polycystic kidney disease and compensation for fractured teeth, finding that these conditions were not related to military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, chronic renal disease, and right side inguinal hernia. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his period of service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his prostate cancer residuals is being remanded due to the need for updated VA records and a new examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, coronary artery disease, and renal insufficiency. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed disabilities, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure during active duty and thus not meeting the presumptive conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for liver disease and kidney disability due to his service-connected sarcoidosis.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to non-compliance with previous remand directives and the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical treatment for a kidney stone at Providence Holy Family Health Services on December 9, 2015 was denied as there was no prior authorization from VA and the Board found that the emergency treatment criteria were not met.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a head injury, TBI with residual headaches, hearing loss, heart disability, elevated cholesterol, liver disability, and kidney disability is granted. However, the claims for service connection for these conditions are based on direct evidence rather than any presumption or secondary relationship.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is denied.,Service connection for COPD is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic kidney disease, increased ratings for inactive left tibia osteomyelitis and residuals of left tibia and fibula fractures with marked knee disability, and an increase in rating for left ankle degenerative arthritis. The evidence did not support a finding of active or recurrent osteomyelitis of the left tibia within the applicable claim period.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to new and material evidence received, including private treatment records from Archbold Medical Center. The matter is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records from Holly Hill Nursing Home and providing a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for liver cancer, hepatocellular cholangiocarcinoma, and renal cancer. The cause of the Veteran's death was also found to be related to service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension as related to herbicide exposure. Service connection was denied for lung disease and kidney disease due to lack of current disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, kidney condition (claimed as kidney stones), and acquired psychiatric disability were denied. The Board found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral knee disability, dementia, tremors, and atrial fibrillation. The effective date of the award for coronary artery disease (CAD) was denied earlier than February 25, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the award of a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD with panic attacks and major depressive disorder is denied. The Board found that any attempt to raise this issue now would be a freestanding claim for an effective date, which is not allowed under law.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include service connection for various conditions, including headaches, shortness of breath, heart condition, hypertension, kidney condition, diabetes mellitus, vision condition, neuropathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.