Kidney disease decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for benign scrotal cysts, bilateral kidney cysts, and skin condition manifested on scalp with unusual hair loss pattern and basal cell carcinoma due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. Additional development is required including obtaining medical opinions.

The Veteran's prostate disability is denied as not related to service or herbicide exposure. The renal disability claim is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which render him unemployable.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for renal cancer and a heart disability, both related to Agent Orange exposure, are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a renal disorder has been reopened. The Board also remanded several issues including initial ratings for various conditions such as tibia stress fracture, hypertension, head scar, burn scar of the left wrist and arm, migraine disorder, PTSD with TBI, right tibia stress fracture, and tinnitus.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for lupus due to new and material evidence. The claims for kidney disease (secondary to lupus) and acquired psychiatric disorder (secondary to lupus) are also remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the reopening of the lupus claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death, finding that there was no evidence linking his fatal renal failure and cardiovascular disabilities to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease is not the cause of his current acute kidney disease. The Board denied both service connection and TDIU claims.

The Veteran's chronic kidney disease is granted as service connected due to exposure to marine fuel oil during his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations, particularly regarding his bilateral hip replacement.

The Veteran's renal disease was first documented on March 10, 2014. An effective date of March 10, 2014 is granted for the award of service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for kidney disability and diabetes mellitus are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases due to allegations of missing service treatment records and a need to verify the Veteran's social security number.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed to have been incurred in wartime service due to herbicide agent exposure. The Board granted service connection for this condition.,The cause of the Veteran’s death, cardiomyopathy, was found to be caused by his now service-connected ischemic heart disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's use of analgesics caused his death from renal cell carcinoma.

The Veteran's service connection for a low back disability is granted.,An initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability prior to February 26, 2018 and thereafter is denied.,An initial compensable rating for kidney stones prior to February 26, 2018 is denied. A rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter is granted beginning from February 26, 2018.,Initial ratings in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder disability, neck disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability are remanded.,Entitlement to service connection for a low back disability is granted. The Veteran's hearing impairment was rated as Level I in both ears prior to February 26, 2018 and as Level I thereafter. Entitlement to an initial compensable rating for kidney stones is denied prior to February 26, 2018 and entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter is granted.,The Veteran's left shoulder, neck, left knee, and right knee disabilities are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, cataracts, and cystic disease of the kidneys have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other causation.

The Board denied service connection for coronary heart disease and the cause of death, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's period of service. The Board also found that the Veteran did not have any service-connected disabilities listed as contributing causes of his death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, prostate cancer, and a kidney condition have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The claim for diabetes mellitus is granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and prostate cancer have also been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The claim for hypertension is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a kidney condition remains denied as there is no medical evidence showing any kidney condition manifested within one year of discharge from service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for renal cancer, finding that there was no evidence linking his condition to service or to herbicide exposure. The preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that the cancer was present in service or related to service.