Kidney disease decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of this case as they have no jurisdiction.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's chronic kidney disease is related to in-service exposure to herbicide agents while serving in Vietnam. The Veteran will need a VA examination to provide this information.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee arthritis. The case is remanded to determine if the Veteran's nephrolithiasis and renal failure are secondary to his service-connected lumbar disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his assertions of in-service exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Orange. The AOJ must verify these claims and then reassess the service connection based on this verification.

The Veteran's service connection for hypertension and renal failure is denied, but he is granted compensation for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his PTSD.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on various conditions have been dismissed due to the death of the claimant.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, as they do not result in permanent impairment of both eyes, severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ankylosis of a knee or hip, or loss of use of a hand or foot such that no effective function remains other than what would be equally well served by an amputation stump at the site of election below the elbow or knee with the use of a suitable prosthetic appliance.

The Board has reopened the appellant's kidney disease claim and remanded all matters for additional development. The Veteran served in Southwest Asia, but there is no evidence of exposure to specific hazards like burn pits or Agent Orange.

The Veteran's lung cancer is being remanded for further development, including a medical opinion on whether it is primary or metastasized from another site. The claim is also inextricably intertwined with his renal cell carcinoma claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding the cause and aggravation of the Veteran's kidney disability by his service-connected conditions, including diabetes.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected conditions and subsequent complications. The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the causes of various disabilities and whether they are proximately due to VA care or services.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims of service connection for a back disability, left shoulder disability, residuals of kidney cancer, and gout. The evidence does not support finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's kidney disorder, specifically addressing whether it is related to service or caused by medications for his hip disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for kidney disorder, COPD, brain disorder, and ataxia due to TCE exposure have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or link between the disorders and active duty service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy, kidney disability, GERD, hypertension, and vertigo. The claims are being reviewed due to new evidence received since the previous denial.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate are granted due to his service-connected depressive disorder and chronic renal disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sarcoidosis and chronic kidney disease due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The case requires further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and seeking an advisory medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and chronic kidney disease as secondary to hypertension, finding the evidence in equipoise that these conditions are related to herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and found that the Veteran's other claimed conditions are secondary to his service-connected sleep apnea. The VA is directed to obtain updated treatment records, including addendum medical opinions regarding the etiology of diabetes, gout, kidney disorder, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and eye disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to be the primary cause of his obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, kidney disease, joint problems/gout, and skin disorder. Service connection for these conditions is granted.