Kidney disease decisions — 2019

The appeal for restoration of service connection for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted. The appeal for entitlement to a kidney disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on need of regular aid and attendance is granted as of May 26, 2009. The Board found that the Veteran had a need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected end stage renal disease disability.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to his service-connected PTSD. The Board has remanded several issues for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic kidney disease, migraine headaches, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes. Service connection for low back disability was denied. The Veteran's diabetes is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for renal toxicity, including as secondary to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, is denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that chronic kidney disease is related to his military service or exposure to contaminated drinking water.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents while stationed at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, and for seeking additional lay evidence from the appellant.

The Veteran's GIST and RCC are found to be secondary to his service-connected post-operative orchiectomy, left testicle, status post stage 1 seminoma due to radiation therapy. The Board granted the claims based on the evidence being in equipoise.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for his service-connected kidney disability is remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination to determine the current severity and manifestations of his service-connected kidney disability.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of hypertension and chronic kidney disease for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's hypertension has resulted in a definite decrease in kidney function from July 18, 2016 to August 21, 2017. A rating of 60 percent for chronic renal disease with hypertension is granted during this period.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service hospitalization for dengue fever and his current disabilities. The VA is required to obtain service treatment records from Tan Son Nhut Air Base hospital, determine if there is a relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his in-service dengue fever, and provide an updated rating decision.

The Veteran's tinnitus disability is granted, subject to the laws and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits.,The Veteran's kidney stone disability is granted, subject to the laws and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits.,The Veteran's psoriasis disability is granted, subject to the laws and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for a kidney disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected GERD and accompanying medication.

The Board denied service connection for a kidney condition, including renal failure and fatty tissue, as the evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's current diagnoses and exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed conditions, particularly related to exposure in Vietnam. The claims are being returned for further development and examination.

The Veteran's glaucoma with diabetic retinopathy, chronic kidney disease, and type II diabetes mellitus have been granted service connection and rated at 100% effective December 19, 2013.

The Veteran's kidney cancer is related to his presumed in-service exposure to an herbicide agent in the Republic of Vietnam, and thus service connection for kidney cancer has been granted.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, kidney disease, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right eye vision loss and left eye vision impairment, right foot amputation, and a heart disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension and its secondary effects on other disabilities. The decision was based on a finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's kidney cancer is related to his military service or service-connected disability, specifically herbicide exposure and diabetes mellitus.