Kidney disease decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of sciatic nerve have been granted initial ratings of 10 percent each, effective July 23, 2013.,Service connection for chronic renal disease was also granted with an effective date of October 8, 2013.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death. The appeals are not considered for merits as they have become moot.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for colon cancer and cysts on kidneys due to herbicide exposure and exposure to benzene and jet fuel, as the VA opinions provided were inadequate. The Veteran's death means that his surviving spouse is now the claimant.

The Veteran's bilateral hip degenerative arthritis is granted service connection as a subsequent manifestation of his already service-connected sacroiliac joint arthritis. Service connection for hypertension and kidney disorder are denied.

The Veteran's kidney disorder is not related to service or his diabetes, and the Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70% rating. The skin disorder claim is remanded for further examination and opinion. TDIU remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's service within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam, which could affect his eligibility for presumptive service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for kidney stone disability and valvular heart disease, both of which are secondary to her service-connected hypertension. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to her active duty service or aggravated by her service-connected condition.

The Veteran's diabetes is presumed to be due to his service, and he is granted service connection for this condition.,His hypertension and kidney disease are remanded as they do not meet the presumptive criteria based on herbicide exposure. His peripheral neuropathy claims are also remanded.,Service connection will be considered if there is a link between these conditions and his diabetes.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for liver cyst, pancreas cyst, and kidney cyst as secondary to service-connected COPD due to inadequate opinions in the January 2020 addendum.

The Board denied service connection for kidney disease, finding no evidence of current kidney disease or dysfunction and concluding that the Veteran's diabetes did not cause or aggravate any current kidney condition.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for hyperlipidemia due to a withdrawal. The remaining issues of service connection for heart disorder, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and renal disorder are remanded.

The Board has determined that the remand was not properly carried out and is therefore remanding the case for an independent medical opinion to determine if the Veteran experienced any additional disability as a result of treatment he received from VA.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and verifying stressor information.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and related conditions are currently rated at 80 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The Veteran also meets criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted as service connected.,Service connection for her bilateral eye disability, secondary to diabetes mellitus, is also granted.,Service connection for a kidney disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of the Veteran's death, including potential exposure during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment prior to March 7, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case due to an incomplete medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and the appellant's claim for DEA benefits is deferred until the cause of death claim is resolved.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for his renal cell carcinoma residuals is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for high cholesterol is denied as it is not a disability for which VA benefits can be awarded.,Service connection for headaches secondary to the service-connected coronary artery disease is granted. The Veteran was also granted TDIU effective June 15, 2017.