Kidney disease decisions — 2020

The Veteran's heart disorder is denied as there is no evidence of a pre-existing condition prior to his death.,The Veteran's left knee disorder is remanded for additional development due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA examination.,The Veteran's hypertension is remanded because the medical opinion did not adequately address whether it was caused by or aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's kidney disorder is remanded as there is no evidence of a pre-existing condition prior to his death.,The Veteran's thyroid disorder is remanded due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA opinion regarding its relationship with service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for anemia, gout, hypertension, diverticulitis, acid reflux, renal cyst, and polycythemia vera are remanded due to a lack of sufficient evidence to determine if these conditions are related to his active duty service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran is entitled to a hearing before the Board.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for chronic kidney disease from June 17, 1966 to May 25, 2010 is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the presence of protein and red blood cells in his urine during that period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss has been granted.,Service connection is established for type II diabetes mellitus and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment, as his hypertension, heart condition, and kidney disease alone do not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and increased evaluation for renal dysfunction was denied. The Veteran did not have persistent edema, albuminuria, or decreased kidney function warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for loss of use of the right upper extremity was denied, but his claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance (A&A) was granted.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors, including a lack of records search for Agent Orange exposure in Korea and SSA disability benefits records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of kidney cancer, finding no current disability and thus failing to meet the criteria for direct or secondary service connection.

The Veteran's kidney cancer is granted service connection due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during his military service.

The Veteran's chronic kidney disease is not considered to be due to or aggravated by his VA treatment for HIV from 2004 to 2008, and therefore compensation under the 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and potential service connection for his adrenal cancer.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, kidney condition (including kidney stones), and mental health condition (PTSD) due to inadequate VA examinations. Additional evidence is needed from private medical providers and a new opinion is required regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's kidney cancer is related to his exposure to herbicide agents during service, specifically Agent Orange. The Board has granted service connection for the condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sarcoidosis, multiple myeloma, POEMS Syndrome, and a kidney condition are reopened due to the submission of new evidence. However, these claims remain denied as there is insufficient evidence linking the conditions to service.,The Veteran’s claim for service connection for a thyroid condition remains denied as well.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that they do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's hypertension and chronic kidney disease were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor are they related to a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for his cause of death, specifically whether he received a blood transfusion during service. The VA is instructed to obtain clinical records from Vietnam and provide an addendum opinion on the relationship between the Veteran's conditions and his service.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his service-connected chronic kidney disease are denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating. A separate rating for hypertension is granted.