Kidney disease decisions — 2018

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for kidney cancer, presumptively related to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune, is granted.,Service connection for headaches is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear adjudication of the Veteran's kidney conditions, including polycystic kidney disease and kidney stones. The issues are inextricably intertwined with his kidney cancer claim.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 and chronic kidney disease as secondary to diabetes mellitus has been granted. The Veteran is also entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions and new evidence. The claims for fractures, hypertension, wrist sprain, carpal tunnel syndrome, renal dysfunction, depression, gastroenteritis, and liver failure are being reviewed due to additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and for a new examination. The claims for kidney disorder and low back disorder are pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2 is granted.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for mild renal insufficiency is granted.,The Veteran's claims for disability ratings in excess of 10 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity and left lower extremity are denied.,The Veteran's claims for disability ratings in excess of 10 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity and left upper extremity are denied.

The Veteran's renal dysfunction with hypertension was rated at 80 percent from April 21, 2014 to March 3, 2016. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to lack of persistent edema and albuminuria or BUN/creatinine levels exceeding thresholds.

The Veteran's renal cancer, which caused his death in 1996, is found to be related to his service as a welder and exposure to cadmium. The Board granted the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, secondary to herbicide exposure and residuals of a left kidney disorder, secondary to diabetes mellitus. The claim for an increased rating for hearing loss was dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal.

The Veteran's kidney disability of chronic renal disease and renal artery stenosis is found to be aggravated by his service-connected cardiovascular disability. Service connection for this aggravation is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims for further development due to missing records and the need for clarification of diagnoses.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and erectile dysfunction. The claims are being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and chronic kidney disease, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any service-connected disabilities. The reduction of the back disability rating from 40% to 10% was also found improper.

The Veteran's kidney disability, diagnosed as chronic kidney disease, is granted. The bilateral hearing loss disability is etiologically related to service. Service connection for gout and endocarditis are remanded due to lack of a VA examination.,Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis is likely based on the diagnosis of gouty arthritis.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent, and his claim for service connection of a kidney disability secondary to his hypertension has been reopened but remains remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for ischemic heart disease and polycystic kidney disease due to herbicide exposure. The claims will be reconsidered in light of a new regulation allowing presumptive service connection based on exposure to C-123 aircraft during Vietnam Era.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for varicose veins of the right leg due to new and material evidence. The claims for service connection for other conditions are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a kidney disorder to include renal failure with hemodialysis due to incomplete VA treatment records from 2003 and 2007.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various cancers and renal failure have been dismissed due to his death.