Kidney disease decisions — 2019

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking the Veteran’s fatal cardiopulmonary arrest to his service-connected kidney stones.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus type II, glaucoma, a renal disability (presumably a kidney condition), an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), and sinusitis due to unclear service connection determinations and insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran's exposure is not presumed based on herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's kidney disease is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected hypertension, and if it had its onset in service between 2003 to 2004.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's chronic kidney disease and its relationship to his service at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, myeloproliferative disorder, hyperparathyroidism, an autoimmune disease other than ulcerative colitis, and kidney stones have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy has also been denied.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for chronic kidney disease with anemia and hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for gastrointestinal ulcer, kidney disease, perineal abcess or cyst, and hypovolemia as there is no evidence of ongoing disability during the period on appeal.

Your claim for service connection for kidney cancer has been granted, but the appeal is dismissed as there are no remaining issues to be decided.

The Veteran's kidney cancer, which caused his death in February 2015, is found to be service-connected. The appeal for nonservice-connected death pension benefits is dismissed as the cause of death claim has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not contribute to his death, and the Board finds that there is no evidence linking any of the fatal conditions to his military service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's adrenal cancer was caused by his active service, including presumed herbicide exposure in Vietnam. A new VA medical opinion is needed to address this issue.

The Veteran's kidney cancer is related to his service as an aviation repairman, and the Board has granted service connection for residuals of kidney cancer. The claim for a compensable rating for excision of ganglion from his left wrist is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for multiple bilateral renal, carotid cysts due to Camp Lejeune water contamination. The other conditions were denied as not related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder and a kidney disorder, finding that there is no evidence of such disorders during his military service or within one year after separation. The Board also found that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected muscle contraction headaches was dismissed. His claims for service connection for hypertension and kidney failure, both secondary to his service-connected headaches, were denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further action due to incomplete records and eligibility determinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure to trichloroethylene (TCE) and its impact on his claimed conditions.

The claim for service connection for low potassium is denied.,The claim for service connection for residuals, spinal tap is denied.,The claim for service connection for residuals, colon cancer is denied.,The claim for service connection for deep vein thrombosis (DVT), claimed as blood clots, groin and legs is denied.,The claim for service connection for pulmonary embolism, claimed as blood clots, lungs is denied.,The claim for service connection for nephrolithiasis (kidney stones) is denied.,The claim for service connection for hemorrhoids is denied.,The claim for service connection for chronic pneumonia and residuals is denied.,The claim for service connection for a heart disability, claimed as high blood pressure, multiple blocked arteries, and heart attacks is denied.,The claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II (diabetes) is denied.,The claim for service connection for gout is denied.,The claim for service connection for arthritis is denied.

The Veteran's kidney stones are currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted. Additionally, the TDIU claim is being referred for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of his chronic kidney renal disease, determining the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder, and addressing the relationship between his hypertension and service-connected diabetes mellitus.