Kidney disease decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a kidney disability was denied in March 1981 due to lack of evidence of a diagnosed condition. The Board found no new and material evidence since that decision.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus Type 2 is not granted as the preponderance of evidence does not support its onset or relationship to service, nor to any service-connected disability.,The Veteran's obesity claim was denied because it is a symptom rather than a separate disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lower back disability, post-operative laminectomy residuals was denied. The claim for service connection for colon cancer as secondary to kidney disorder is not supported by the evidence of record.

The Board denied service connection for a kidney disorder and denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claimed conditions, including diabetes mellitus, heart disorder, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, bilateral eye disorder, and kidney disorders are not service-connected as they were not shown to be related to his military service or due to herbicide exposure. The Board found no evidence of chronic diseases during service and the onset of these conditions after separation from service.

The Veteran seeks compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for various disabilities allegedly caused by VA medical treatment, and the case is being remanded to obtain an appropriate medical opinion.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative disc disease (neck pain) was denied. His bilateral hearing loss and analgesic nephropathy (kidney pain) claims were granted, with the latter being secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee condition, kidney condition, and hypertension. The case is REMANDED to obtain medical records, schedule examinations, and provide a decision based on the evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran was not exposed to herbicide agents and thus could not establish service connection for any of his claimed conditions based on presumed exposure. The claims were denied.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability, and burial benefits in excess of $800 already paid are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his in-service exposure to herbicides and his diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic kidney disease, PTSD, major depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus, bilateral cataracts, tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension, likely preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to TDIU for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability. The Board found no evidence that the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease, contributed to his cancer or complicated his treatment.

The Veteran died from chronic renal failure, COPD and hypertension. The Board found that these conditions were not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's renal cell carcinoma and gastric cancer are not related to his military service, including as due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability, thus the appellant does not qualify for CHAMPVA benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient research and findings regarding exposure to Agent Orange during service. The Veteran's claim for service connection is on hold until further development is completed.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not total occupational and social impairment. The rating of 70 percent is maintained.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, thyroid cancer (as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation), and kidney stones have all been denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection in any of these cases.