Kidney disease decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral cataracts secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus. The case is being remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's renal disability, increased rating for left eye disability, and temporary total rating based on convalescence.

The Board has denied service connection for vision impairment, renal cyst, and muscle spasms due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for a heart disorder and cause of death. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obesity, caused by his service-connected disabilities (PTSD), was a substantial factor in causing his heart disorder(s) and diabetes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral knee disability and other health issues. The decision also denied reopening of a claim for a bilateral knee disability.

The Board has denied service connection for an umbilical hernia, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and neoplasms of the kidney as there is no current diagnosis or evidence supporting these conditions.

The Veteran's renal cell carcinoma and pulmonary metastasis are etiologically related to his active duty, including herbicide/Agent Orange exposure. The peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities is also linked to service, with a presumption of Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's claims for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred during his private hospitalization from December 21, 2013 to December 31, 2013 were denied because the claims were not filed within 90 days after discharge.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on four different conditions have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected hypertension and his renal and nephropathic syndromes, as well as whether these conditions began during active service or were aggravated by the hypertension.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's cirrhosis of the liver and renal disease are related to his service at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination. The Veteran's service records show he reported trouble sleeping during his military service, and private treatment records indicate he was diagnosed with sleep apnea in 1994. However, no VA examination has been conducted on this issue.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including those for headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder, general arthralgia, a low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, vertigo and dizziness, tinnitus, gastrointestinal disorders, kidney disorder, and erectile dysfunction. The issues are being remanded due to the need for new evidence or further review.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between any of these conditions and active duty or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current renal condition and his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral kidney disorder is not service-connected as it did not have its onset during service and is not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,Prior to April 17, 2015, the Veteran's scars on the left cheek were rated noncompensable. From April 17, 2015 onwards, they are rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Saint Joseph East from April 14-28, 2014 is denied because prior authorization was not granted and a VA facility was feasibly available.

The Veteran's ED is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD and diabetes. His TDIU claim is also granted. The claims for fibromyalgia, left knee disorder, vision loss in both eyes, kidney stones, residuals of a TBI, RLS, and TMJ are dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for vertigo, heart disorder, circulation disorder, kidney disorder (including renal failure), and thyroid disorder are all denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a relationship to service.,The Veteran's claim for heart disorder is denied because the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that it began during active service or is related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. The Veteran was not exposed to herbicide agents and ionizing radiation during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for further evaluation of his conditions, particularly regarding his TBI and radiculopathy.

The Board has granted reopening of the claims for service connection for hypertension, sleep/respiratory disability (sleep apnea), and kidney disease. However, diabetes mellitus and tinnitus were not found to be related to service.