Kidney disease decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, renal insufficiency, arteriosclerotic heart disease, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy contributed substantially or materially to his death from sepsis due to bowel necrosis and severe abdominal adhesions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's kidney problems are being reviewed again for possible service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, a left leg disability resulting in amputation, and a kidney condition due to diabetes mellitus. The diagnoses are based on the Veteran's complaints of pain from his back disability leading to weight gain and obesity, which aggravated his diabetes. The Board also found that the Veteran’s diabetes mellitus was aggravated by his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations of coronary artery disease was dismissed. The Board granted service connection for renal cell cancer, attributing it to herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for prostate, testicular, and renal disabilities due to exposure to asbestos. The case is sent back for a VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's kidney disability, bilateral hearing loss, heart disability (coronary artery disease), and peripheral vascular disease claims have been withdrawn. The skin cancer claim has been remanded for further review.,Service connection for the Veteran’s heart disability and peripheral vascular disease due to ionizing radiation exposure is denied as these conditions are not considered radiogenic diseases.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his service, but has remanded for further examination and opinion regarding a kidney condition secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's hypertension and hemorrhoids have been rated appropriately. The Board has found that the Veteran is already in receipt of the maximum allowable rating for his hemorrhoids.,The Veteran’s left ankle disability, hydrocele, recurrent kidney stones, sleep apnea, COPD, and PTSD are all remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for persistent depressive disorder. The remaining issues of service connection for a kidney condition, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, lung condition, PTSD, and higher initial ratings for diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity are remanded.

The Veteran's kidney stone disorder is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board found no evidence to support an increased evaluation.

The Veteran's renal cell cancer of the left kidney is granted service connection due to presumed exposure at Camp Lejeune. The issue of a higher initial evaluation for his left knee replacement is remanded.

The Veteran's initial 40 percent rating for residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is granted effective March 6, 2019. SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is also granted with a higher level of SMC from July 31, 2019.

The Veteran's kidney disease was not found to be related to his service, specifically the exposure at Camp LeJeune. The Board determined that there is no evidence linking the condition to his time in service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of a kidney disability is denied. The appeal regarding the initial rating in excess of 60 percent for his kidney disability is dismissed due to the grant of SMC based on housebound status. The Veteran's request for DEA benefits prior to May 21, 2009, is also denied.

The Board has ordered the Veteran to undergo additional examinations and opinions regarding his renal disease, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, diabetes mellitus, and left knee degenerative joint disease. The issues include determining whether these conditions are related to service-connected disabilities or have resolved during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic kidney disease, bladder cancer, and skin cancer of the nose due to potential service connection based on exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The Veteran is presumed exposed to Agent Orange during his service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a kidney disability, penile disability, body cysts, and liver disability, are being remanded due to new evidence not having been considered by the RO.

The Veteran's claim for chronic kidney disease, linked to exposure at Camp LeJeune, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection. The remaining issues, including PTSD, sleep apnea, left shoulder disability, back disability, skin cancer, and kidney stones (claimed as kidney stones), are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and kidney disease have been granted. The claim for service connection for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease due to exposure to herbicide agents is remanded, as well as the claim for gastrointestinal disorder (acid reflux).,Service connection has been established for hypertension on a direct basis. Service connection for kidney disease secondary to hypertension and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease are pending further development.