Kidney disease decisions — 2018

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is rated at 70 percent disabling effective May 31, 2011. He was granted a TDIU based on PTSD from that date.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical services provided on August 9, 2013 were for a condition of such nature that a prudent layperson would have reasonably expected delay in seeking immediate medical attention to be hazardous. The closest VA facility was not feasibly available and an attempt to use it beforehand would not have been considered reasonable by a prudent layperson.

The Veteran's ED is secondary to his service-connected diabetes. However, the Board finds that he does not have a diagnosis of congestive heart failure and his currently diagnosed aortic stenosis was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes.,The Veteran's kidney disease, hyperparathyroidism, and polyneuropathy are all secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease and kidney condition are not service-connected due to a lack of evidence showing in-service exposure to herbicides or other causative factors.

The Board has remanded the cases for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's nephrolithiasis, ureterolithiasis, cystic kidney disease with voiding dysfunction due to inconsistencies between her contentions and the findings in an October 2016 VA examination report.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for chronic fatigue disorder, kidney disorder, migraine headaches, neurological signs and symptoms, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and coronary artery disease (CAD) have been dismissed. The appeal for CAD has been remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her kidney cancer, breast cancer, and liver cancer.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver are found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder with alcohol and cocaine use disorder. His hypertension is found to be secondary to his cirrhosis of the liver, while his chronic kidney disease is associated with his hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus and nephrolithiasis have been granted increased disability ratings, with the bilateral pes planus receiving a 10% rating prior to April 16, 2010, and a 30% rating since then. The Veteran's nephrolithiasis has also received an increased disability rating of 30%.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a kidney disability, finding that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence of a pre-existing condition. The preponderance of evidence does not support an in-service disease or injury with respect to the Veteran's kidney disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory, kidney, and prostate disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune or herbicides in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD alone, along with additional disabilities rated at least 60 percent (chronic kidney disease and diabetes mellitus), meet the criteria for a TDIU. From May 19, 2010, he also meets the criteria for SMC based on housebound status.

The Veteran's renal cancer is presumed to be related to his exposure to contaminated water at Camp LeJeune, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD effective July 13, 2010. The Veteran's hypertension and kidney disorder are related to herbicide exposure, while hearing loss is not currently shown in either ear.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service, including exposure to herbicide agents.,No new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claims.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an enlarged prostate and prostatic hypertrophy with voiding dysfunction have been reopened, while his claim for a renal stone remains denied. The Board finds that the evidence received since the December 1991 rating decision is new and material, establishing a positive nexus between these conditions and service.,The Veteran's current headaches are found to be related to his service-connected pigmentary glaucoma.

The Veteran's renal cancer is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Board denied service connection for left and right hip disabilities, thyroid disorder, cardiac disability (claimed as ischemic heart disease), and cysts on the kidneys due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during military service.

The Veteran's claims for depression and insomnia, headaches, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and kidney disorder have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims.,Service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is also denied.