Kidney disease decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for kidney cancer due to Agent Orange exposure during the Veteran's service in Vietnam, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted the appellant's petition to reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for COPD. The Board also found that the appellant's kidney stones, bladder stones, prostate disorder, and immune system disorder are not related to his service-connected COPD or any other in-service injury or disease.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were related to in-service injuries.,Service connection was also denied for benign prostatic hypertrophy/hyperplasia and lower urinary tract symptoms with obstruction. There was no evidence of onset during service or relationship to in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to a higher rating for diabetes mellitus, type II; service connection for hypertension and kidney disability. Additional development is needed as new evidence suggests possible association between hypertension and exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and renal disease due to a lack of concrete determination regarding their etiology. A medical opinion is needed to decide if these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral leg disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is less likely related to his active military service. The Board also found no evidence of kidney disorders being incurred during or caused by his service.,Service connection was not granted for nephrolithiasis and chronic renal disease as there was insufficient evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's service.

The Board has granted service connection for kidney cancer, lung cancer, and heart disability. However, the claim of peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is remanded as no VA examiner has provided an opinion on this issue yet. The issues of SMC based on need for aid and attendance and at housebound rate are also remanded due to their inextricable link with the peripheral neuropathy claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for stroke residuals, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral diabetic retinopathy, kidney condition, upper and lower extremity neuropathy, ischemic heart disease, and hypertension has been granted. However, the claims for these conditions are not supported by evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or other direct service connection.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of death, finding that there was no evidence to support exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand and thus denying any potential service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for ESRD, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has decided that the VA examination related to the Veteran's chronic kidney disease claim was inadequate and remands the case for a new examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including kidney cancer, ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and arthritis of multiple joints. The claims are being reviewed to determine if there is evidence of exposure to herbicide agents or other contaminants during service in Vieques, Puerto Rico.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine if the appellant requires aid and assistance due to her disabilities, which may affect her need for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or housebound rate.

The Board has stayed the adjudication of cases affected by the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019, including the Veteran's claims for service connection. The issues are remanded to allow for a respiratory VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for left renal cancer and gastric cancer due to herbicide exposure, as the VA examinations provided were inadequate. The Veteran needs new and adequate VA examinations or opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes due to herbicide exposure is granted. The case is remanded for further examination regarding the right kidney tumor.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's death and his hypertension.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted a 10% rating, effective August 26, 2003.,The Veteran's nephrolithiasis (kidney stones) does not warrant an initial compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case for a determination on whether any of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities were related to his death, which occurred due to end stage renal disease.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic kidney disease (formerly claimed as glomerulonephritis) has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.