Kidney disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's hypertension is granted service connection and a 60% disability rating for nephropathy (claimed as kidney disease) is granted. The effective date for the grant of service connection for nephropathy is set at June 7, 2016.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, and lower extremity neuropathy due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has determined that further action is needed to ensure full compliance with the VCAA and its implementing regulations. The claims for service connection on appeal are being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right kidney disorder, including kidney stones and urinary tract infections, is aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. As a result, service connection for this condition secondary to diabetes is granted.

The Veteran's right kidney removal and related conditions are rated at 100% disabling, entitling her to a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, residuals of cerebrovascular accident (CVA), depressive disorder, right ear hearing loss, and sleep apnea. Service connection was denied for left ear hearing loss and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, requiring the VA to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether his kidney disorder and cancer are related to a gap in VA treatment between CAT scans from July 2011 to April 2018.

The Veteran's claims for various disabilities, including lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, cervical spine disability, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and foot disability have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's skin condition was reopened, but his increased rating for left shoulder disability and service connection claims were denied. The appeal is remanded for further action.

The Veteran's kidney condition, characterized by kidney stones, is granted as service connected. The issues of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder, left shoulder acromioclavicular joint arthritis, a spine condition (back injury), right knee condition, and right ankle condition are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in disability more nearly approximating occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, due to symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and impaired impulse control. An initial rating of 70 percent since June 11, 2014 for PTSD is granted.

Effective dates of April 29, 2016 are granted for service connection for kidney cancer and aplastic anemia, as well as Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents and his service-connected conditions. The appellant must provide additional information for a medical opinion on whether her husband's cause of death is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his receipt of a 100 percent disability rating. As such, the Board does not have jurisdiction to review the issues on appeal and the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for kidney stones and gout, finding that the Veteran's conditions developed during active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional medical opinions regarding secondary service connection for kidney disease. The claim for service connection for general osteoarthritis remains denied.

The Veteran's cause of death was not related to his service or any service-connected conditions, and the Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service treatment records are incomplete and needs to be verified. Additionally, a remand is required to obtain VA treatment records from 1982 to 1986 and to provide an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran’s lymphoma.

The Board has granted service connection for renal failure as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus and for major depressive disorder. The claim was reopened due to new evidence provided since the previous denial.

The Board has granted service connection for kidney stones and remanded other issues due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's osteoporosis is referred back to the RO, lupus is pending, and further examinations are needed for hip disability and sinusitis.