Kidney disease decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding a potential link between the Veteran's kidney cancer and his herbicide exposure. The case will be returned for further evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability. The claims for right hand, kidney, and bladder disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development related to his claims of service connection for chronic kidney disease and multiple myeloma.,For the time period prior to August 16, 2016, the Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70% evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unemployable, as he has been employed in various capacities and the Board finds that his employment is not marginal.

The Veteran's gout was granted service connection as it manifested during active duty.,Service connection for PTSD is denied due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and the reopening of a tinnitus claim. The tobacco use disorder claim is denied as there is no evidence it is related to active service other than in-service cigarette smoking.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a bladder disorder was granted. The appeals for lumbar spine, bilateral eye, kidney disease, liver disorder, and sleep apnea were denied.

The Board has granted a TDIU, but the appeal for service connection and ratings for peripheral neuropathy is remanded due to new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for muscle damage, left knee; left foot drop; MRSA infection; CIDP; pulmonary edema; heart disability (to include congestive heart failure); renal failure; and compromised immune system are all granted. The claim for service connection for a heart disability is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for renal cell carcinoma with metastasis, also claimed as kidney cancer, finding that there was no evidence linking his condition to his military service.

The Veteran's death was caused by complications from a gastric bypass reversal surgery, not due to exposure to herbicides or service-connected conditions. Additional evidence is needed to determine the cause of his extreme weight gain and its relation to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for adjudication of whether there was clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the September 2001 rating decisions denying service connection for renal cyst and sickle cell trait, to include hematuria. The cases are also remanded to determine if new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a kidney disability.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for lumbar spondylosis and TDIU was denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating or entitlement to TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for an addendum VA examination and opinion regarding the cause of his kidney stones, which may be related to medications prescribed for service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including vomiting, anemia, back pain, cataracts of the eyes, vitreous floaters, left wrist disorder, right foot disorder, left foot disorder, kidney disorder, thyroid disorder, and allergies. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has denied service connection for kidney disability, squamous cell cancer and keratoacanthoma, actinic keratosis, prostate hypertrophy, Dupuytren’s contracture of the left 5th digit (claimed as deformity of the finger), and Dupuytren’s contracture of the right 4th and 5th digits (claimed as deformity of the fingers).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic kidney disease and type II diabetes mellitus, have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU based on the combined disability rating of 70%.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims for various conditions as the Veteran passed away during the appeal process.

The Veteran's chronic kidney disease is being remanded for further clarification on whether it is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or coronary artery disease, as well as the timing of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for kidney disability and bilateral pes planus of the feet have been dismissed. The remaining issues, including those related to gastrointestinal and respiratory disabilities, are remanded.