Kidney disease decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including for a VA examination to evaluate the severity of the Veteran's service-connected scars from an exploratory laparotomy. The issues on appeal include service connection for high cholesterol, kidney cancer, bilateral hand tremors, hypertension, sleep apnea, and gout.

The Board denied service connection for a renal disorder, diabetes mellitus (DM), and hypertension. The Veteran's renal disorder was not aggravated by service, DM was not incurred in service, and hypertension was not incurred in service.

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and thus the claim for service connection for the cause of death is denied.,The Veteran did not meet the criteria for burial benefits and a plot allowance as his death was not due to a service-connected disability.

The Board denied DIC benefits for the cause of death due to congestive heart failure, renal failure, and diabetes. The Veteran did not have service in Vietnam or any other location where he could be presumed exposed to herbicide agents. The Board found no evidence that these conditions were chronic in service or continuous since separation. There was also insufficient evidence linking these conditions directly to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further action regarding his claims of a rating in excess of 60 percent for service-connected kidney disease with hypertension and TDIU prior to September 18, 2009.

The petition to reopen the claims for service connection for a right upper extremity disability, chronic pain disorder, acquired psychiatric disability (including depression), cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, hormonal imbalance (low testosterone), left upper extremity disability, and kidney disability is granted.,Entitlement to service connection has been reopened based on new and material evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there is no medical evidence linking the condition to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that his service-connected PTSD aided or lent assistance to the production of his death. The decision also vacates previous decisions and remands the issue.

Your kidney disorder has been granted service connection, but the effective date is February 12, 2013. The Board dismissed your appeal as there are no remaining issues to be decided.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,The Veteran's claim for OSA is being remanded as there may be a link between his military service and undiagnosed illness. Additional evidence is needed, including records from 2010 when he was referred for evaluation of sleep apnea.,The Veteran's claims for kidney stones and diabetes are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.,The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus is being remanded as there may be a link between his military service and aggravation of his already elevated blood sugar levels. Additional evidence is needed, including records from 2010 when he was referred for evaluation of sleep apnea.,The Veteran's claims for left shoulder disability are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his condition.,The Veteran's claim for back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his condition.,The Veteran's claims for knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his condition.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, hepatitis C, bilateral pes planus, and a residual kidney disability, status post left kidney removal. The evidence supports the conclusion that these conditions are causally related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, kidney condition, nocturia, and sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The remand is due to incomplete verification of the Veteran's exposure to Vietnam during TDY assignments.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a kidney disorder, anemia, and hyperparathyroidism are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's kidney disability, finding that it was not noted at entry and did not undergo aggravation during service. The Veteran's pre-existing condition was presumed to be sound upon entry.

The Board has dismissed all pending appeals regarding the initial compensable ratings for various conditions, including coccyx fracture, hemorrhoids, toenail fungus of the bilateral great toes, right elbow limitation of extension, chronic kidney disease, post-operative dry eye syndrome in both eyes, irritable bowel syndrome, and right elbow tendonitis.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for asbestos-related pleural disease, bilateral hearing loss, chronic kidney disease, and hypertension due to further development being necessary. The case will be returned to the AOJ for additional examinations and evidence collection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cause of death, DIC pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1151, and burial benefits due to incomplete development and need for new medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for coronary artery disease and chronic kidney disease, as well as his claim for a TDIU prior to October 19, 2012, are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection. However, the issues of service connection for prostate cancer and renal cancer remain unresolved due to lack of definitive information regarding exposure in Vietnam.,Service connection for prostate cancer is remanded as the Veteran served on a ship off the coast of Vietnam during the presumptive period.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic renal insufficiency, stage III, with hypertension has been granted an initial rating of 80 percent. The disability is characterized by generalized poor health due to symptoms such as lethargy, weakness, and limitation of exertion.