Kidney disease decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions, including diabetes mellitus and its secondary effects on other disabilities. The Veteran's claims were based on presumed exposure to herbicides during active duty service in Vietnam or Okinawa, Japan. However, the evidence did not support his claim of combat service in Vietnam, nor did it confirm his exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus type II and its secondary effects on other conditions, have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service disease or injury, or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's death was caused by renal failure, sepsis, CVA, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. These conditions were not incurred in or related to his active service, including his exposure to asbestos during service.

The Board denied service connection for renal cancer and sleep apnea, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to the current conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claims for rheumatoid arthritis of the knees, heart disease, nephropathy (claimed as bilateral kidneys), and neuropathy of upper and lower extremities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right kidney lesion and remanded his claim for service connection for headaches with nausea and vertigo. The decision on the right kidney lesion claim is that it was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service. For the headaches claim, a VA examination is needed to determine if they are related to service.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including a new VA examination for the kidney disorder and additional examinations for other service-connected conditions. The Veteran's claims of increased ratings are also being considered.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including gout, arthritis, hypertension, benign hypertrophy of the prostate, kidney cysts, and tremors (neurological disorder), due to exposure to herbicide agents or contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The claims are being remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and whether his in-service report of high blood pressure was related to his conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a kidney condition and water retention, finding that there is no current diagnosis of such conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is presumed to be associated with herbicide exposure. The kidney cancer claim remains pending as the Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure in Thailand and remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.,The criteria for entitlement to SMP benefits based on housebound status or need for aid and attendance have not been met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address her claims of recurrent, chronic mononucleosis, kidney infection with blood sepsis, and migraine headache disability. The issues are inextricably intertwined.

The Board denied service connection for renal disease and diabetes mellitus as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents, no diagnosis within a year after discharge, and no competent evidence linking the conditions to service.

Service connection is granted for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and anemia. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service is presumed to cause these conditions.

The Veteran's death was caused by an acute myocardial infarction, which is presumed service-connected due to his Vietnam-era service. The Veteran did not have a pending claim for a sleep disorder at the time of his death. His income exceeded the threshold for VA pension benefits.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions, including tinea cruris, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disability, and a cognitive disability. The issues have been returned to the RO for further development.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for left foot amputation and service connection for end-stage renal disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and acquired psychiatric disorder (depression). The decision found that the Veteran's refusal to receive treatment was a significant factor in his condition.

The Board has remanded the DIC and accrued benefits claims due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's lung cancer and/or chronic kidney disease were caused by his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The appellant is seeking service connection for these conditions based on this exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to uncertainty regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service and the relationship between in-service medical conditions and his later death.