Kidney disease decisions — 2018

The Veteran's chronic renal disease, including post-renal carcinoma with left nephrectomy and nephritis, has been manifested by persistent edema and albuminuria, leading to a 100 percent disability rating.

This decision grants the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The claim for reopening of a previously denied claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) is granted, based on new evidence indicating possible PTSD diagnosis. The claim for reopening of a previously denied claim for service connection for stomach disorder (claimed as GERD) is also granted, due to the presence of GERD diagnosis.

The Veteran's death was caused by COPD, congestive heart failure, sepsis with shock, pneumonia, chronic renal failure, and adrenal insufficiency. The VA does not find a link between these conditions and the Veteran's service or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left kidney disorder and right renal cell carcinoma were denied. The Board granted the application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a left kidney disorder, but denied both issues on the merits.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability, but remanded it due to need for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's kidney disorder is also remanded for clarification of current diagnosis and possible service connection.

The claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is granted as new and material evidence has been submitted, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The case is remanded to determine if the renal cancer was related to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral foot neuropathy and kidney disability due to herbicide exposure, but remanded the case for additional development regarding the kidney disability.

The Board has denied service connection for peripheral artery disease, autonomic neuropathy, left shoulder traumatic arthritis, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), bilateral restless leg syndrome, and renal disorder. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected residuals of prostate cancer prior to May 6, 2013 and 20 percent thereafter is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and he did not receive VA pension or compensation benefits during his lifetime.,VA burial benefits were denied as the Veteran had no service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across multiple conditions, including jungle rot, gout, sleep apnea, hypertension, cholecystectomy residuals, ulcerative colitis, end stage renal disease, dermatitis, diabetes mellitus type II, and depressive disorder. The Board found insufficient evidence to establish current diagnoses or a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's renal/adrenal cancer and his service, including exposure to Agent Orange. An addendum opinion is needed from a VA examiner.

The Board dismissed the claims of service connection for a right foot condition and kidney stones. The Board remanded the claims of service connection for left knee condition and right knee condition (secondary to left knee).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure is granted. The effective date of the grant is August 13, 2018. The claims for earlier effective dates for end stage renal disease, left wrist disability, and left knee injury with limitation of extension are also granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for reopening of service connection for hypertension and PTSD, as well as remanded several other issues including sleep apnea, kidney disorder, neurological disabilities, peripheral neuropathies, and radiculopathies. Service connection is denied for liver disorder, heart disorder, right upper extremity neurological disability, left upper extremity neurological disability, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's chronic renal disease is being remanded for further development and consideration due to the need for an addendum VA opinion regarding whether it is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure during service and denied claims for diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, below the left knee amputation, below the right knee amputation, renal failure, and heart disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for the cause of his death, entitlement to nonservice-connected death pension benefits, and accrued benefits. The causes listed on the Veteran’s death certificate were not related to his active service or any service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, kidney disorder, and PTSD have been granted. Bilateral hearing loss is presumed due to in-service noise exposure. The kidney disorder is not related to service or a service-connected condition. PTSD was incurred during active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the issue of service connection for a kidney disorder is remanded.