Kidney disease decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple issues have been dismissed due to withdrawal. The remaining issues are being remanded for further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a kidney disability, finding that there was no direct evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that the current condition did not manifest within one year of separation from service. The Board also found that the Veteran had not provided sufficient evidence to establish continuity of symptomatology since service discharge.

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II; service connection for a kidney condition to include a transplant; and service connection for left leg amputation below the knee. The remand is due to incomplete information or lack of clarity in the evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and heart disability, prostate disability, diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease (coronary artery disease), kidney disease with renal failure and periodic bladder infection, anemia, and peripheral neuropathy. Service connection was denied for tendonitis of all joints.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's cause of death and service-connected conditions are related. The focus is on determining if the metastatic renal carcinoma was caused by Agent Orange exposure, if chronic renal failure aggravated diabetes mellitus, and if these conditions contributed to the Veteran's overall health.

The Board denied service connection for left upper extremity, right upper extremity, left lower extremity, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to Agent Orange exposure.,The Board also remanded the claims for service connection for a heart condition and kidney disorder.

The Board denied the appellant's appeal as her substantive appeal was not timely filed with respect to the September 2015 denials of compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for cellulitis of the lower extremities, vascular problems, atrial fibrillation and kidney disease for accrued benefits purposes, and service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and unclear information regarding his alleged hospitalization in Germany.

The Board dismissed the appeal of hypertension. The claim for service connection for thyroid condition secondary to asbestos exposure and/or herbicide exposure was reopened, but the issue remains remanded due to lack of evidence regarding Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's death was caused by metastatic cancer, which is not service-connected. The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran’s death to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's cardiovascular disability, including coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure, was denied service connection as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service. The exposure to herbicide agents on Okinawa and Guam was also not established.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, as his combined disability rating is at least 100 percent and he cannot secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection are not decided at this time.

The Board has granted service connection for Chronic Kidney Disease and remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for Hypertension as secondary or aggravated by service-connected CKD.

The Board denied service connection for a cardiovascular disability and DIC based on the cause of death due to lack of ischemic heart disease, hypertension, or other qualifying conditions related to service.

The Veteran's right thigh numbness, diagnosed as meralgia paresthetica, is granted service connection. For the left and right shoulder disabilities prior to August 25, 2015, a 10 percent rating is granted for each. The Veteran's left knee disability and right knee disability are also granted a 10 percent rating prior to May 29, 2015. For urinary calculi (kidney stones), the Veteran is granted a 10 percent rating prior to August 25, 2015.

The Veteran's depressive disorder claim has been reopened and granted. The left eye disability, kidney condition, mild cognitive impairment, erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy claims are all denied.

The Veteran withdrew all his pending appeals for service connection claims, including those related to kidney cancer, organic brain syndrome, migraine headaches, hepatitis C, esophageal condition (chronic esophagitis), liver cancer, melanoma, and follicular lymphoma of the breast.

The Board has remanded all issues on appeal due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service personnel and medical records, scheduling examinations, and seeking private treatment records.