Kidney disease decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded four issues: service connection for a bilateral hip disability, gastritis, major depressive disorder with anxious distress, and chronic kidney disease. The VA is instructed to obtain the Veteran's federal records from the Social Security Administration and his VA treatment records.

The Veteran's kidney disease is granted as secondary to service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus. The right shoulder, left shoulder, right hip, left hip, and both knees disabilities are denied due to lack of in-service onset or continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are all granted with the exception of a separate 10% rating for hypertension which is denied as it has already been assigned.

The Veteran's renal disease is granted as secondary to service-connected coronary artery disease. The claim for an initial rating higher than 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss and the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder are both remanded.

The Veteran's endocrine disability, including central hypogonadism, adrenal insufficiency, gynecomastia, loss of libido, and hyperprolactinemia, was not caused by VA treatment or due to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to uncertainty regarding his exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Board requests further development to determine if he served within the territorial sea of Vietnam, which would grant presumptive service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic kidney disease, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the kidney disability claim remains denied. The right knee and stroke disabilities are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's kidney disability, claimed as renal toxicity, is denied because there is no evidence of a connection to service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, fibromyalgia, sleep apnea (secondary to other specified and trauma-related disorder), gastrointestinal disability other than GERD, paralysis of the left vocal cord, paralysis of the left hemidiaphragm, syncope, and kidney disability have all been granted. The Veteran is also presumed to have served in the Southwest Asia theater during the Persian Gulf War.

The Veteran's appeal for right knee disability is dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the issue. The Board has remanded several other issues including peripheral neuropathy, respiratory disability, sleep apnea, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, skin disability (PFB), bilateral kidney disability, hearing loss, insomnia, depression, erectile dysfunction, and eye conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, kidney disorder, and right shoulder disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right kidney condition, specifically whether it is related to his military service. A new opinion is needed from an examiner.

The Board has remanded several issues, including an increased rating for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder, service connection for hepatitis B and C, kidney condition, bladder condition, and TDIU. The Veteran's Social Security records are to be obtained, a SOC is needed for the service connection claims, and the Veteran should be provided another opportunity to submit information for his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's death was caused by multiple conditions, including ischemic heart disease and diabetes. The Board is remanding to determine if the Veteran's exposure to jet fuel during service may have contributed to his cause of death.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is currently rated at 20 percent and the Board has found that a higher rating is not warranted. Service connection for renal dysfunction due to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted.,PTSD remains rated at 70 percent, effective July 8, 2011. The Veteran's PTSD claim is remanded as additional evidence was received since the last SSOC.

The Board has granted service connection for basal cell carcinoma. The remaining issues of service connection for bladder cancer, anal cancer, kidney cysts, liver cysts, and lung nodules are remanded due to inadequate development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and opinions regarding his PTSD, kidney cancer, bladder cancer, and Individual Unemployability (TDIU) claims. The issues include seeking increased ratings for PTSD, service connection for kidney and bladder cancers, and determining if the Veteran can work due to his disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for heart problems, diabetes mellitus type II, erectile dysfunction, and kidney problems due to Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran's claims were not supported by credible evidence of service in Vietnam or confirmed exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for kidney stones is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a disability manifesting in kidney stones.,For the period prior to June 4, 2014 and from August 1, 2014, the Veteran’s cervical spine disability is manifested by forward flexion limited to 20 degrees; the evidence does not demonstrate unfavorable ankylosis of the cervical spine or incapacitating episodes requiring bed rest prescribed by a physician.,The criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for cervical spine disability from August 1, 2014 forward have not been satisfied.,For the period prior to November 21, 2019, the Veteran’s GERD symptoms included pyrosis and reflux; the criteria for an initial compensable disability rating prior to November 21, 2019, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter have not been satisfied.,For the period prior to April 7, 2014, the Veteran’s right elbow extensor tendon tear is manifested by flexion limited to 125 degrees; for the period from June 1, 2014, it is manifested by flexion to 95 degrees and pronation to 60 degrees.,The criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for right elbow extensor tendon tear with limitation of pronation have not been satisfied.,Service connection for the Veteran's right hip disability is remanded.