Kidney disease decisions — 2018

The Veteran's renal cancer was not incurred in service and is not otherwise related to his military service. The Board found that the Veteran did not participate in a radiation-risk activity during his service, and there was no significant radiation exposure based on the available records.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, with erectile dysfunction, renal glomerular disease, and gastroparesis is rated at 60 percent effective March 3, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to verify his exposure to herbicide agents in Korea and obtain a medical opinion regarding the relationship between his conditions and his active service.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims, including VA treatment records and other relevant documents.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the merits has been granted, and he is now receiving a 100 percent evaluation for his heart condition (CAD). His renal insufficiency with hypertension is rated at 60 percent. He also receives SMC based on housebound status due to his CAD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a left ankle injury and kidney disability, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and gastroparesis is rated at 20 percent prior to June 9, 2016, and 60 percent thereafter. The Veteran's atherosclerotic coronary vascular disease (CAD) is also rated at 60 percent since May 10, 2016. Service connection has been established for right and left upper extremity neuropathy, lip disability, mitral regurgitation and tricuspid regurgitation, glaucoma/cataracts, chronic kidney disease, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and gastroparesis as secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination to assess the Veteran's ability to work due to his service-connected kidney disability. The TDIU claim will be considered again after these steps are completed.

The Board has determined that there is not sufficient evidence to establish a connection between the Veteran's current cysts of the liver and right kidney and his military service, including gunshot wounds to the abdomen in 1953. The preponderance of the evidence supports denial of both claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional VA treatment records and an addendum opinion regarding the onset of a kidney disability during service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's kidney cancer and scar, including verifying his exposure to asbestos during service.

The Veteran's multiple myeloma is not service-connected due to lack of exposure to ionizing radiation during service.,Chronic kidney disease and spinal cord compression are not service-connected as they are not related to active service or any service-connected disability.,Multiple myeloma was not incurred in service, nor is it secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's disability rating for hypertension with chronic kidney disease was restored from 30% to 60%, effective August 1, 2015. The reduction of the rating was not proper due to sustained material improvement in his condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities or kidney disorder. The claim for service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is found to be at least as likely as not due to in-service noise exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's death was caused by cardiac arrhythmia, which is not service-connected. The underlying cause of death, chronic kidney disease, is also not service-connected as it resulted from the Veteran's own misconduct during service.

The Veteran does not have, nor has she had at any time proximate to, or during the course of this appeal, a current diagnosis of a urinary, rectal, or kidney disorders. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 23, 2007, for the award of service connection for removal of the right kidney is denied. The Board found that the earlier date of entitlement (May 1990 classified report) does not constitute a service department record and thus cannot be used to grant an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's hypertension and renal dysfunction associated with it are granted initial ratings of 10% and 30%, respectively, effective June 7, 2011. Service connection for an anxiety disorder is also granted.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, thyroid cancer, tonsillar cancer, lymphoma, and chronic kidney disease. The Board concluded that these conditions are not related to his active service or due to exposure to herbicide agents.