Kidney disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss warrants no greater than a Level I rating for each ear under Table VI.,Entitlement to increases in the ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee limitation of extension, and right knee impairment is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability, but denied service connection for left kidney renal cell carcinoma. The right knee condition is related to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's chronic kidney disease, FSGS, is related to exposure to toxic chemicals during service at Tooele Army Depot and granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's death was not caused or contributed to by any service-connected disability, as the cause of death (cardiac arrest, anemia/bleeding and coagulopathy) is attributed to gastrointestinal bleeding unrelated to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining the Veteran's complete service personnel records and any SSA disability benefits records. The VA examiner will be asked to provide an opinion regarding whether the Veteran’s renal conditions are related to his military service, specifically including herbicide agent exposure.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and kidney stones due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claims for prostate, gallstones, kidney stones, right shoulder, bilateral knee, and hip disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his congestive heart failure, hypertension and renal failure did not begin during service or were caused by service. The appeal was also denied on direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, ischemic heart disease, kidney cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, radiculopathy of both hands and lower extremities, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and tinnitus. The new evidence submitted since the June 2018 SOC will be considered.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus type II due to herbicide agent exposure is granted. The case is remanded for further evaluation of the Veteran's chronic kidney disease as secondary to his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an independent medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's renal failure and residuals are related to the prescribed naproxen.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased rating due to failure to obtain VA treatment records, provide adequate reasons or bases for decisions, and conduct new examinations.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status is remanded due to incomplete information in his VA 21-2680 form. A new VA examination is required to determine if he meets the requirement for aid and attendance due solely to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and chronic kidney failure with loss of use of the right kidney, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure or in-service injury that could support a grant of service connection. The Veteran's current conditions were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for nephrectomy and prostate cancer were reopened due to new evidence. Service connection was granted for the kidney removal but denied for prostate cancer.,Neurobehavioral effects are being remanded as there is insufficient information on their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a kidney condition and entitlement to TDIU due to inextricably intertwined issues. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with diabetic dermopathy is rated at 20 percent, and the Board has decided to remand this case for further evaluation due to new symptoms reported by the Veteran.

The Veteran's Parkinson’s disease and kidney cancer have been granted service connection. The Board also remanded for further examination to determine the extent of his residual disabilities, including those related to his now service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to his death.