Kidney disease decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension became manifest during service and is therefore service connected. The kidney disease, which was diagnosed as secondary to hypertension, also appears to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected conditions, and neither Multiple Myeloma nor Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS) is considered to have been incurred in or related to his period of active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of kidney stones are currently rated at 30 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and therefore denied his claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule VA examinations for his kidney condition, skin disability, and rectal injury. The AOJ will then consider whether service connection should be granted or denied for these conditions.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant, through her representative, withdrew from appeal the issues of entitlement to service connection for renal cell carcinoma with metastases to the adrenal gland and service connection for the Veteran's cause of death.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are associated with voiding dysfunction requiring changing of absorbent pads five times daily, warranting a rating higher than 40 percent.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for renal cell carcinoma. The evidence suggests that it may be related to hepatitis B.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an addendum opinion from a VA medical reviewer to address whether any of the Veteran's causes of death could be attributed directly to his military service, including in-service symptoms of increased weight.

The Veteran's kidney disorder claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the relationship between his current kidney disorders and service. His SMC claim based on housebound status or need for aid and attendance is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic kidney disease is related to his service-connected coronary artery disease and has granted service connection for this condition as secondary to his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's chronic kidney disease is not service-connected as it did not have its onset during or within one year after his military service, and there is no evidence linking it to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the relationship of his renal cell carcinoma to service, specifically conceded herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's kidney stone disorder began in service and is therefore granted service connection. The issue of entitlement to service connection for emphysema remains pending as there are insufficient medical records available.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease are presumed to be due to his exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for melanoma and renal insufficiency, but denied service connection for right knee disability. The Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for dental trauma to tooth #8 is pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertensive cardiovascular disease and mild renal insufficiency with hypertension are denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of a neurological disorder, including dementia, is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,There is no evidence of record showing a current diagnosis of fatigue or kidney stones.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a kidney disability was denied. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 30 percent for residuals of an aortic valve replacement prior to February 8, 2012, and effective from February 8, 2012, a rating in excess of 60 percent was also denied. The Board noted that further examination was needed regarding the relationship between service-connected conditions and any current kidney disability.

The Board denied service connection for chronic kidney disease, finding that the Veteran's current condition was not incurred in or caused by his military service. The evidence did not establish a link between the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents and his diagnosed condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's kidney cysts and hypertension were not related to service or herbicide exposure, and denied claims for service connection on a direct basis.