Kidney disease decisions — 2019

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection on all listed conditions due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease (CAD), atrial fibrillation, sleep apnea, gastrointestinal disorder, Raynaud’s syndrome of hands and feet, kidney disorder with stones, night sweats, and hypertension due to inadequate examination findings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, lupus, heart disability, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy, and kidney disease are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding exposure to herbicides.,Specifically, the RO must determine if the USS Frederick (LST-1184) was in the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of the Republic of Vietnam during service. If so, an addendum VA opinion will be obtained to assess the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and chronic kidney disease.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including low back pain, eye condition, kidney problems, left shoulder strain, right shoulder strain, right hand pain, and left heel pain. The decision also remanded cases involving bilateral hearing loss, trichomoniasis, scar of the right index finger, stress fracture of the left lower extremity, degenerative joint disease of the right knee, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, and residuals of a stress fracture of the left tibia.

The Veteran's cause of death was adenocarcinoma of the lung. The Board has remanded to determine if any other cancers, including those presumed due to Camp Lejeune contaminated water (CLCW), were a primary or contributory cause of his death.

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents or other service-related causes.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic renal failure did not result in any compensable disability due to renal dysfunction prior to May 1, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to determine if his chronic kidney disease is secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II or due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to determine if his chronic kidney disease is secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II or due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's kidney cancer is granted as due to Agent Orange exposure.,Both the lung and liver cancers are granted as secondary to his service-connected kidney cancer.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating determinations due to incomplete records from Camp Pendleton Naval Hospital, a need for additional VA medical opinions regarding headaches and prostate cancer/kidney disabilities, and an issue with secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for kidney stones and PTSD with insomnia, as well as service connection for left knee strain, right knee strain, and left hip disability were granted effective September 26, 2017.,An earlier effective date is denied for the grants of service connection for left knee strain, right knee strain, and left hip disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and verification of exposure, stressors, and medical records.

The Board has remanded the claim for hypertension secondary to and/or aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or renal insufficiency due to inconsistencies in the medical opinions provided.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for service-connected post-operative renal cancer residuals, including nephrectomy and surgery scars, trunk and entitlement to a compensable evaluation for service-connected s/p nephrectomy, times two, for right kidney renal cancer prior to November 25, 2014 and in excess of 30 percent disabling from August 1, 2015 due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease secondary to diabetes mellitus, residuals of a stroke secondary to diabetes mellitus, and COPD due to outstanding medical records and additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran's history of renal stone of the left ureter is not compensable as it does not affect his body or exposed areas, nor does he require topical therapy.,Service connection for ischemic cardiomyopathy (cardiac disorder) due to exposure to herbicide agents is remanded.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II due to exposure to herbicide agents is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains pending and is being remanded.,The Veteran's left foot disorder, right foot disorder, hypertension, chronic acid reflux, memory loss, chronic headache disorder, and sleep disorder are all being remanded.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to exposure to herbicide agents is remanded.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left knee disability, right knee disability, left foot gout, right foot gout, and kidney condition. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer due to presumed exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. Service connection was denied for myelodysplastic anemia, shortness of breath and chronic cough, and embolization residuals. The kidney disability claim is remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension and bilateral foot disability claims were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.,Service connection for thoracic aortic aneurysm, chest pain, PTSD, lumbar spine arthritis, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral ankle swelling/disability, CAD, prostate cancer, chronic kidney disease, anemia, diabetes mellitus, type II, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and obstructive sleep apnea were all denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.