Kidney disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for chronic kidney disease, which is secondary to medication taken for his service-connected disability (lumbar spine), was denied as the evidence did not show persistent edema and albuminuria with BUN of 40-80 mg%, nor creatinine levels above 4 mg%. The Veteran's condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and an incomplete opinion regarding service connection for a kidney condition related to Camp Lejeune contaminated water. The Veteran's claim is pending.

The Board has decided that the claim for service connection for kidney cancer should be remanded due to new VA treatment records being added to the claims file after the issuance of the SOC.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and kidney cancer, attributing the denial to a lack of evidence showing exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased rating of various conditions, including kidney disease, peripheral neuropathy, sleep apnea, and lumbar spine disability. The AOJ is instructed to issue a supplemental statement of the case with consideration of all pertinent evidence received since November 24, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for renal cell carcinoma, claimed as due to herbicide exposure is being remanded for additional development and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Veteran was granted a temporary 100% rating due to back surgery, then a 20% rating from February 9, 2015 onward.

The Veteran's GERD and kidney stones have been denied increased ratings. Other service-connected conditions are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has denied service connection for exotropia of the right eye. The cases of kidney disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to incomplete review of records.

The Veteran's hypertension claim is reopened, and the issues of service connection for a kidney disorder, peripheral neuropathy (bilateral upper extremities), right lower extremity, left lower extremity are all remanded for further development.

Service connection granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.,The Veteran's hypertension is remanded for further examination to determine its relationship to service-connected conditions or in-service herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's chronic kidney disease is remanded for further examination to determine its relationship to service-connected conditions or in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for renal cell carcinoma, finding that the earliest effective date allowed is June 12, 2017.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and MDD), a kidney disorder, and a low back disorder due to lack of new and material evidence for diabetes mellitus, type II, and insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's renal cell carcinoma is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to determine if his condition is related to service exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's chronic kidney disease and hypertension, which may affect the rating assigned.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions regarding his claims of service connection for sleep apnea, kidney cancer, chloracne, an enlarged prostate, and increased rating for diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and associated residuals are granted service connection on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure. Chronic kidney disease is also granted as secondary to hypertension. The claims for new and material evidence for gastric cancer, increased rating for hypertension and GERD, and service connection for ischemic heart disease are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and kidney disease due to lack of VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left kidney removal due to kidney cancer, secondary to exposure to chemical agents and insecticides, is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and there is no evidence of a direct link between his service-connected conditions and the cause of death. The claim for TDIU on accrued benefits purposes is also denied as the Veteran did not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU at any point during the appeal period.