Kidney disease decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, myelodysplastic syndrome, bilateral upper and lower neuropathy disabilities, amputation of the toes and right leg, and kidney failure disability due to herbicide exposure in Thailand.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for higher initial ratings and earlier effective dates related to various conditions, including a back scar, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and hepatitis C. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of the lumbar spine disability is granted with a 20% rating from January 7, 2010.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent since July 2010 and denied for a higher rating. The Veteran’s chronic kidney disease with diabetic nephropathy and hypertension was granted a 60 percent disability rating from September 23, 2009.,Service connection for unspecified depressive disorder and sleep apnea is granted. Service connection for skin disorder and compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss are denied. The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for nerve damage to the left arm, hypertension, and kidney disability due to herbicide exposure as they are not related to active duty service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss claim is denied as he does not have a current disability for VA purposes.,Service connection is granted for glaucoma, with the condition likely related to military service and exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS) and its relationship to in-service herbicide exposure or ischemic heart disease. The Veteran's STRs may not be complete, and a new examination is needed to clarify his diagnosis and determine if it is related to service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to his failure to appear for scheduled examinations and VA attempts to contact him. The issues include cervical spine disability, CVA/TBI with headaches, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, eye/cataracts disability, skin disability, lung disability, and kidney disability.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his service-connected conditions did not contribute to his death and assigning greater probative weight to medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service records do not provide sufficient information to determine if he was exposed to herbicide agents while serving aboard U.S.S. Bennington and Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Eight. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's death was not caused by, or substantially contributed to, a service-connected disability. The Board found no evidence of ionizing radiation exposure in the Veteran's service records and concluded that he did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection based on herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's cluster headaches have been granted a 50% rating effective May 15, 2017.,Service connection for kidney disease is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has denied service connection for a renal disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, and ulcers of the feet. The decision also denies special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy was reopened and granted. The initial rating for ischemic heart disease (IHD) prior to March 26, 2020, remains denied. A TDIU is granted effective April 14, 2016.,Issues related to pancytopenia, kidney disorder, and IHD are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for alcohol dependence, dental disorder, recurrent oral cavity disorder, lymphatic disorder, immune system disorder, liver disorder, and kidney disorder all claimed as due to Camp Lejeune contaminated water exposure. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for kidney disease as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer. The case is also remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's end-stage renal disease was caused by his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, and thus service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is granted.

The Board has denied service connection for arthritis, gout, and an eye disorder. The remaining issues of hypertension, gastrointestinal disorder (diagnosed colitis), erectile dysfunction, and kidney disorder are remanded.,Service connection is not granted for the Veteran's diagnosed conditions as they do not meet the criteria set forth in the applicable laws and regulations.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's kidney disease is due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp LeJeune.,The examiner will also provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's kidney stones are related to his service-connected prostate cancer.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.