Kidney disease decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychological disorder (unspecified depressive disorder) and denied service connection for kidney stones.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for nephrolithiasis, erectile dysfunction, and sleep apnea due to exposure to toxic chemicals. The cases are being sent back for additional medical opinions regarding whether these conditions were aggravated by service or related to service.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations and opinions are needed to determine the current state of the Veteran's liver, kidney, erectile dysfunction, and hepatic cysts disabilities, as well as whether any of these conditions are related to his service-connected recurrent deep vein thrombosis.

The Veteran's recurrent renal cell carcinoma is found to be related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Orange. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for diabetes mellitus, type II and its complications, as well as various eye disabilities, heart conditions, peripheral neuropathy, and psychiatric disorders. The remand is due to the need to verify the Veteran’s reported exposure to herbicides while in Panama.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's kidney disorder and whether it is related to service-connected lung cancer or chemotherapy treatment.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, as there is no evidence of myocardial infarction or renal insufficiency during his active service. The Board found that the appellant did not provide competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to unresolved issues regarding his service-connected left foot disability, kidney disorder, right ear hearing loss, spleen disorder, and nerve disorder. The Board has not made a determination on these claims as they are being returned for further review.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic kidney disorder, COPD, and diabetes have been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during his active service or within one year post-service. The Board found that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and thus was not exposed to herbicides. His current conditions are considered to be unrelated to his military service.

The Veteran's cause of death was not due to a service-connected disability.,Service connection for the cause of death is denied as there is no medical evidence linking the Veteran’s primary and contributory causes of death (acute renal failure, congestive heart failure, bladder cancer, and renal cancer) to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for further evaluation and consideration of his conditions.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any condition incurred or aggravated during service, and the Board denied service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disorder, kidney disorder, and basal cell carcinoma due to potential additional neurological impairment from chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.,Additional examinations are needed to clarify the nature of the Veteran's conditions and their relationship to his service.

The Board has denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, poor circulation in the left and right lower extremities, and kidney condition.,The Veteran's claims for secondary service connection for these conditions are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for renal cell carcinoma, finding that the Veteran's exposure to burn pits during his military service may have increased his risk of developing this condition. The Board also found in favor of the appellant regarding her claim for TDIU and remanded the issue of service connection for cause of death.

The Veteran's renal carcinoma with kidney removal is related to his exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection of Parkinson’s disease, hypertension, and kidney cancer due to new evidence received since the last final denial. The issues are remanded as they involve medical determinations that require further development.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for renal cell carcinoma, status post right nephrectomy, is granted. The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the previously denied claim.

The Board has granted service connection for polycystic kidney disease (PKD) as the Veteran's current PKD was first clinically diagnosed during his active military service and there is not clear and unmistakable evidence that it was not aggravated by his service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, hypertension, hepatitis C, and a residual kidney disability as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions in the record.