Kidney disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral neuropathy, bilateral pseudophakia, hypertension, benign prostatic hypertrophy, and a kidney condition are all granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The claim of service connection for hypertension and kidney disorder has been denied as there is no evidence showing that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty, and the Veteran did not provide new and material evidence to reopen his claims. The kidney disorder was found to be related to hypertension.

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected as the conditions that caused his death (acute respiratory distress syndrome, septic shock with multi organ failure and renal failure) were not present in service or within a year following discharge from service.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that there is no evidence linking any service-connected disability to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence received from official service department records. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in service is also under review.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for Type II Diabetes Mellitus and has remanded the issue of service connection for Chronic Kidney Disease secondary to service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it began during his active service.,Service connection for kidney stones and a pilonidal cyst were denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to missing service treatment records and incomplete National Guard service information.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic coronary artery disease is granted as it was presumed to be caused by herbicide exposure. The issues of hypertension, kidney disability, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral upper and lower extremity neurological disabilities are remanded due to the need for further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a kidney disability, finding that his current condition is not related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for congenital left ectopic pelvic kidney, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient rationale provided by the August 2015 VA examiner regarding the etiology of various conditions, including right foot/ankle and left foot disorders, sleep apnea, hypertension, edema, kidney disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The issues are inextricably intertwined and require further examination.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that hepatitis C did not have its onset during service and was not incurred as a result of service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and renal carcinoma are granted service connection as they are presumed to be related to his active duty service at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.,Service connection is granted for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, headaches, memory loss, and a kidney disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right kidney cancer, bladder cancer, and urethral cancer was reopened due to new evidence. However, the claim remains denied as there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's tinnitus, hypertension, and pseudofolliculitis barbae have been granted service connection. The Board has found that additional development is needed for the issues of vitamin D deficiency, sleep apnea, kidney condition, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and chronic kidney disease due to the need for a medical opinion regarding their etiology.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's death was related to his service-connected conditions, including PTSD. The VA will need to review the evidence and provide a medical opinion on this matter.