Kidney disease decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic kidney disability and dementia has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Henoch-Schonlein purpura, kidney disability (renal failure and right kidney transplant residuals), and abdominal hernia were denied. The Board has determined that further development is needed in all three cases.,Specifically, the Board found that a VA examination report regarding the tremor disability was of limited probative value due to conflicting findings and other deficiencies. Additionally, the Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for splenectomy residuals are also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a kidney disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his active military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including IHD, diabetes, renal insufficiency, and bilateral hearing loss, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on this evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, kidney disease, and diabetes due to new evidence and a need for further examination. The Veteran's exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune is not presumed related to his conditions, but they are being considered on their own merits.

The Board has remanded the claims for initial ratings in excess of 30 percent for right kidney removal, an initial compensable rating for scars status post skin cancer excision, and initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for left and right knee arthritis due to outstanding private treatment records and a need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's death was caused by renal cell carcinoma, which the Board found to be related to his exposure to herbicide agents during service. The claim for DIC based on service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of kidney cancer was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for hypertension has been denied as her blood pressure readings have not consistently met the criteria for a higher evaluation.,Service connection for a right kidney tumor was denied because there is no evidence of a right kidney cyst during service, and the current right kidney cyst is considered separate from the left kidney cyst.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer with bone metastasis and the cause of death due to prostate cancer, finding that there was no nexus between the Veteran's PTSD and his prostate cancer or cause of death. The preponderance of evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and a kidney disability, including kidney stones and cysts. The Board found that there is no evidence linking these conditions to in-service exposure to acetylene tetrachloride or any other toxin.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and potential herbicide exposure verification.

The Veteran's heart disorder is granted service connection as it was aggravated by his service-connected other specified trauma and stressor related disorder. The kidney disorder, joint swelling, and obstructive sleep apnea are denied as not being related to active service.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder pain, chronic kidney condition, and an increased rating for sinusitis. A 30% rating was granted for the Veteran's sinusitis throughout her appeal.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, amputation of the right great and second toes secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, renal failure as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, and melanoma.,Service connection was not granted for any of the conditions due to lack of evidence showing a relationship between the condition and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left kidney disability, also claimed as left kidney removal, due to Camp Lejeune contaminated water exposure. The VA examiner found no causal relationship between the Veteran’s disability and his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus, heart disability, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and kidney disability due to inadequate medical opinions and outstanding STRs.

The Veteran's service connection claim for cirrhosis of the liver has been denied as there is no evidence that it began during or was caused by his military service.,Service connection for acute kidney damage secondary to cirrhosis of the liver has also been denied, as the Board found that the current condition is more likely due to the Veteran's liver disability.

The Veteran's kidney disorder and heart disorder were denied as not related to service.,The Veteran's bowel disorder and headaches were remanded for further evaluation.