Kidney disease decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain SSA records and provide additional medical opinions regarding his hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and tinnitus.

The Veteran has withdrawn all his appeals, including those for service connection and nonservice-connected pension.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and a VA examination to determine the etiology of his gout, renal cell cancer residuals, and pituitary microadenoma.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not cause the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, thus denying entitlement to SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition. The claims for peripheral neuropathy, right foot disorder, hypertension, osteoporosis, and kidney cancer are remanded for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea did not manifest during service and is not attributable to service. The kidney failure was found to be secondary to Henoch-Schönlein purpura, which may have had its origin in service due to exposure to hazardous materials.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and a genitourinary disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to a lack of evidence showing in-service exposure to ionizing radiation, and thus, no service connection is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's multiple disabilities have affected his daily living activities, requiring assistance to prepare meals and tend to his hygiene needs, manage his medication and financial affairs, and assist with nursing home care since December 5, 2017. Prior to this date, he was not in need of regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for renal cell carcinoma is being remanded due to incomplete personnel records and the need for a VA opinion on the etiology of his condition, including potential herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for prostatitis and urinary / renal disability, including end-stage renal disease, status post-transplant. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service connected.

The Board found that the Veteran's kidney cancer is not related to his military service, including exposure to asbestos. The evidence did not establish in-service exposure or a link between the condition and service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination and opinion to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's prostate, bladder, and kidney disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a more contemporaneous VA examination to evaluate the severity of his prostate cancer residuals.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for kidney pain, sores on left and right arms, abdominal pain, bladder discomfort, fatigue, headaches, and numbness in hands and legs have all been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or presumed exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to renal cell cancer, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic kidney disease secondary to his service-connected PTSD with alcohol abuse is being remanded due to the need to obtain private treatment records from Dr. V.J.

The Veteran's chronic kidney disease is found to be related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during active service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's kidney disease is not service connected as it did not manifest during his active duty at Camp Lejeune and there is no evidence linking the condition to exposure to contaminated water.