Kidney disease decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of chronic kidney disease, finding that there is no current diagnosis and no evidence of a disability. The exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune was conceded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and GERD disabilities. The heart condition claim was denied, but the Veteran has submitted private treatment records that show ongoing issues with his heart.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for kidney stones is denied as he has not experienced recurrent kidney stones or episodes of nephrolithiasis during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the need for additional evidence and examination, including service connection claims and a rating claim.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection for various conditions and exposure to noise. The Veteran's claims for PTSD are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and kidney disorder due to further development being required, including notifying the appellant of her right to waive substitution.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The appeal is also remanded for further review of certain issues.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for further examination and opinion regarding exposure to environmental contaminants during service. The Veteran's kidney condition is related to his exposure at Atsugi, Japan. Other conditions are being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased ratings due to procedural issues, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the Veteran's kidney cancer and its relation to his exposure to Agent Orange in service. The examiner is required to provide a rationale for their opinion.

The Veteran was granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the (l) level based on need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to service-connected disabilities from April 19, 2007, to March 19, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for a kidney disability was reopened, and service connection for renal cell carcinoma, status post right radical nephrectomy is granted due to in-service exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of death, nonservice-connected pension eligibility, and accrued benefits. The decision found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim, and that her late husband had recognized guerrilla service which is not qualifying service for VA pension benefits.

The Veteran's death was caused by metastatic colon cancer, which the appellant claims is related to his service. The Board finds that a VA medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran’s exposure to herbicide agents at least as likely as not directly caused his colon cancer.

The Veteran's renal failure with resulting voiding impairments was caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and the Board has determined that service connection is warranted. The issues of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity; right lower extremity; and right arm impingement with neuropathy are remanded.

The Veteran's heart disability, kidney disease, and peripheral arterial disease are all granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Veteran's liver disability is denied as it is not related to his service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,The Veteran's OSA is denied as it was not caused by his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and kidney disability due to exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange. The RO must take appropriate steps to verify such exposure in locations other than the Korean DMZ or Vietnam.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical records and requests for additional evidence. The Veteran's cause of death is being reviewed, but without complete records from his treatment facilities, it cannot be determined if his kidney disease was caused by Agent Orange exposure during service.