Kidney disease decisions — 2019

The appeal of entitlement to service connection for glaucoma is dismissed.,The appeal of entitlement to service connection for sinusitis; allergies is dismissed.,The appeal of entitlement to service connection for hypertension is dismissed.,The appeal of entitlement to service connection for kidney removal is dismissed.

Service connection for a lumbar spine disability, hypertension, liver disability, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and kidney disability is denied.,Service connection for aggravation of a psychiatric disability and aggravation of sleep apnea due to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II is granted.

The claims of service connection for COPD, skin cancer, a right hip disorder, post-operative residuals of an adrenal gland tumor, and prostate cancer are being remanded due to the submission of new and material evidence.,The Veteran's service treatment records show upper respiratory infections and chest pain in service. A VA examination is required to determine whether his COPD is related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes. Service connection is also remanded for kidney disorder and peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as the evidence does not show that his service-connected disabilities alone prevent him from securing and maintaining gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed. The Board has remanded the remaining issues due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Veteran's hypertension and kidney disease were not shown to be related to service. The Board denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's prostate cancer is caused by exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune or is proximately due to his service-connected kidney cancer.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertensive chronic kidney disease is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The claim for secondary service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for kidney failure, diabetes mellitus, type II, residuals of prostate cancer, and hypertension are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The effective date issue related to nonservice-connected pension is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, post abdominal aneurysm, and kidney disease stage III were denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service. The Board found that the Veteran did not have any of the diseases associated with herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection was granted, and the appellant is seeking a higher initial disability rating. The Board finds that this constitutes an addition to or expansion of the original claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disability is related to his military service.

The Veteran's need for aid and attendance or housebound status was not established due to his service-connected disabilities, as the majority of his physical limitations were caused by nonservice-connected conditions. The Board found that SMC is not warranted based on either the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The claim for service connection for kidney cancer is granted, but the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam is not presumed. The case is remanded for a medical opinion on whether the cancer could be related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for lung cancer and kidney cancer, finding no evidence of in-service events or diseases that could be linked to the conditions.,There is no direct evidence linking the Veteran's lung cancer and kidney cancer to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 60 percent for his hypertensive nephrosclerosis post kidney transplant is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's cause of death was not related to service or a service-connected disability, and the appellant is not entitled to DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and denied service connection for kidney stones, sinus condition, and urethritis. The case is remanded for further action on the remaining issues.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for recurrent bronchitis, dermatitis on face and ears, nephrolithiasis (kidney stones), and ehrlichiosis is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals. The Board also denied service connection for these conditions due to lack of current disability.