Kidney disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's kidney stones and left shoulder disability are rated at 30 percent each, but the Veteran is seeking higher ratings. The case has been remanded to determine if a rating in excess of 30 percent for either condition is warranted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on three issues (kidney cancer, skin rashes, and erectile dysfunction) have been dismissed due to the submission of an incorrect appeal form.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant withdrew her contention on the issue of accrued benefits for metastatic cancer of the kidney, claiming exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's kidney disability was not incurred or aggravated during her active duty service and is not related to any in-service injury. As a result, the claim for service connection for a kidney disability is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for prostate cancer was dismissed. The Board remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes, kidney dysfunction, and below-the-knee left leg amputation due to in-service exposure to PCBs.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for various disabilities, including lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease secondary to bilateral knee disability. The Veteran is seeking a determination on whether his lumbar strain with DDD is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disability.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's kidney loss due to renal cell cancer is not considered a result of VA care, and the Board finds that there was no fault on the part of VA. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding service connection for a kidney disorder, other than hematuria and dysuria, and for a gastrointestinal disorder, other than chronic diarrhea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hyperlipidemia, anemia, sinusitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a right heel condition, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The Board found that there was no evidence of these conditions during or within one year following his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence being submitted, but did not specify a decision on the merits of these claims.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for renal calculi of the kidneys due to exposure to herbicides while serving at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand. The Veteran's specific contentions regarding his duties and potential exposure need further investigation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and needs additional information on whether the Veteran's kidney disease is related to his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, myelodysplastic syndrome, and abdominal aortic aneurism have been granted. Claims for colon cancer, chronic renal disease, polycystic kidney disease (claimed as kidney failure), cerebrovascular accident (claimed as stroke), COPD, atrial fibrillation, and emphysema are remanded.

The Veteran's kidney failure and removal of the hydronephrotic right kidney were not incurred or aggravated by his military service, as there is no evidence of relevant injury during active duty. The Board found that the condition was likely congenital and not related to any trauma.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, right upper extremity pain, left upper extremity pain, left lower extremity pain, and right lower extremity pain due to insufficient medical opinions addressing causation and aggravation.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for chronic renal disease and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for chronic renal disease, as it did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 60 percent. For TDIU, the Board determined that the Veteran does not meet the requirements to be considered unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic kidney disease, hypertension, nodular basal cell carcinoma left chest cancer, and residuals of a stroke associated with in-service exposure to ionizing radiation are denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection due to lack of medical nexus.

The Veteran's cause of death was not related to his military service, and the Board denied entitlement to service connection for cause of death.,The Veteran did not meet the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 as he had not been rated 100% disabled for at least 10 years prior to his death.,The appellant's income exceeded the maximum rate for nonservice-connected death pension benefits, thus denying her entitlement to such benefits.

The Veteran's cause of death, hepatorenal syndrome with end stage liver disease, is found to be related to his service-connected PTSD and alcohol abuse. As the Veteran's PTSD was found to be a contributory cause of death, service connection for the cause of death is granted.