Kidney disease decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II, hypertension, diabetic retinopathy, renal disease, left upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy have been granted. The evidence submitted since the last final denial relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for dizziness, back condition, heart condition, kidney condition, irritable bowel syndrome, and arthritis have all been denied.,Service connection has not been established for any of the claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including back condition, hearing loss, sleep apnea, kidney condition, skin rash over the entire body, hypothyroidism, PTSD, and depressive disorder. The decision also includes a remand for TDIU due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The Board has remanded several claims for service connection due to the Veteran's exposure to environmental contaminants at George Air Force Base. The claims include chronic fatigue syndrome, heart disability, hypertension, renal disease, stroke, diabetes mellitus type II, and eye disability.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, including those for a jaw condition, left and right hip conditions, left and right knee conditions, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder, liver condition, kidney condition, and TDIU. The reasons for these remands include the need to provide a Statement of the Case (SOC) and obtain medical opinions.

The Veteran's kidney and liver transplant conditions are being remanded for the purpose of obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for arthritis, bilateral hands; left knee disorder; and emphysema have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or service connection.,Service connection has also been denied for right knee degenerative joint disease due to lack of evidence showing a relationship between the condition and active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to gather financial information and properly address the overpayment issue of VA pension benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a genitourinary disorder, specifically kidney problems, is denied as there is no evidence of an underlying disease or injury resulting from service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PVD of the lower extremities, coronary artery disease, kidney disability, and psychiatric disorder is remanded due to new evidence received since the last final denial. The claims are being reopened as they include a current diagnosis of the conditions in question.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise and finds service connection for a kidney disability, as secondary to the service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral chronic autosomal polycystic kidney disease is rated at 30 percent from October 1, 2006 to October 15, 2014. The claim for a higher rating is denied. Service connection for low back and abdominal or gastrointestinal disabilities are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, stage III chronic kidney disease, and diabetes mellitus, type II as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active military service.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to her service-connected chronic kidney disease.,The Veteran's chronic kidney disease is granted as secondary to NSAIDs used for her service-connected right knee and low back pain. ,The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's kidney stones are rated at a 10 percent disability rating, her migraines at a 30 percent disability rating, and her adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood is granted a 50 percent disability rating from March 8, 2012 forward.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is characterized by treatment requiring insulin and regulation of activities. However, the evidence does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent due to lack of complications that would not be compensable if separately evaluated.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability (torticollis) was previously denied in July 1971, and new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim.,Service connection for hyperlipidemia is not warranted as it does not constitute a recognized disability for VA purposes.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for kidney cancer, status post right nephrectomy, due to exposure to Agent Orange. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's appeals of the claims for kidney disorder, anxiety disorder, tumors of the legs (to include as due to Agent Orange exposure), and PTSD have been dismissed. The appeal for hypertension has been remanded. Appeals for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and back disorder are also remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and examinations.