Kidney disease decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, chronic kidney disease, and cerebrovascular accident due to a lack of substantial compliance with previous directives.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for kidney stones is denied because the condition is asymptomatic and does not require any treatment or procedures.

The Veteran's kidney disease, ED, and periodontal disease are found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.,The Veteran’s vascular disease is not found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability.,The appellant sought DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318, but the claim is denied as there was no continuous total rating for at least five years prior to death.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and its complications, as due to herbicide exposure in the Republic of Vietnam. The Veteran's amputation of the right fourth toe, bilateral diabetic neuropathy of the feet, kidney disability, erectile dysfunction, and diabetic retinopathy are all found to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's kidney cancer is likely due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the DIC claim based on new and material evidence showing that Darvon, a medication prescribed for service-connected back disorder, may have caused or contributed to the Veteran's death from sepsis with profound hypotension. The claims under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and 38 U.S.C. § 1318 are also remanded for further examination.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral leg numbness, OSA as due to in-service exposure to an herbicide agent, cardiovascular disability (including atrial fibrillation or coronary artery disease) and skin cancer all as due to in-service exposure to an herbicide agent. The effective date of the rating for these conditions is March 3, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development regarding his claims of service connection for kidney failure, hip and knee conditions, as well as a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The issue of service connection for right atrophic kidney with mid ureteral stricture is referred to the AOJ due to its inextricability from the hearing loss claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and related conditions.

The Veteran's death was caused by multiple myeloma transitioning into chronic myelogenous leukemia and subsequent renal failure. The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical records, clarify diagnoses, and determine if any of these conditions are service-connected.

The Veteran's kidney condition and back condition are not service-connected. The kidney condition claim is denied, while the back condition claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's renal cancer, sleep disorder (including sleep apnea and insomnia), peripheral neuropathy, and PTSD are presumed to be related to his service due to exposure to herbicide agents. The cause of death is also presumed to be related to the Veteran's service-connected renal cancer.

The Board cannot make a fully-informed decision on the issues of service connection for residuals of acute pancreatitis and renal disorder because no VA examiner has provided an opinion regarding whether these conditions are directly related to service, including exposure to oil field fires while serving in Southeast Asia. The remand is necessary to obtain further medical opinions.

The Veteran's death is not service-connected due to lack of total disability for 10 years prior to his death. The cause of death claim remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis (to include sleep apnea) is rated at a 30 percent disability from October 17, 2006 to May 19, 2009 and at a 60 percent disability from May 19, 2009 to July 16, 2013. The Veteran's sarcoidosis is not rated higher than 60 percent since July 16, 2013.

The Board has determined that the cause of death (kidney cancer) may be related to service exposure to herbicides, but more evidence is needed to determine if this connection exists.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for kidney cancer with right kidney removal and left kidney renal calculus is reopened. The remaining claims of increased ratings for coronary artery disease and PTSD are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for urothelial carcinoma and renal cell carcinoma are remanded due to the possibility of a link between his conditions and Agent Orange exposure, but without specific evidence or studies provided.