Kidney disease decisions — 2020

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a kidney disability, finding that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence of a pre-existing condition. The Board also found insufficient evidence to support an in-service disease or injury with respect to the claimed disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for renal toxicity/kidney disease to include as due to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for kidney cancer to include as secondary to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's metastatic renal cell carcinoma, including its relationship to service-connected diabetes mellitus with hypertension.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, arthritis, a vision disorder, neuropathy of the left upper extremity, neuropathy of the right upper extremity, and a kidney disorder. The decision found no in-service incurrence or exposure to herbicides that could support presumptive service connection.

Service connection for migraine headaches, rash on the feet, and skin infection of the groin is denied.,Service connection for hypertension and chronic renal disease is remanded.

Service connection for PVD and hypertension has been granted, allowing the Veteran's surviving spouse to receive benefits. A TDIU was also granted.,The appeals regarding aortic aneurysm and kidney disorder are being remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on several conditions have been withdrawn. The claims for right ankle disability, chronic kidney disability, and PTSD rating are being remanded due to the need for additional examination or evidence. The claim for chronic kidney disease has been reopened based on new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and opinion regarding service connection claims, including those related to obesity, acquired psychiatric disorders (PTSD, anxiety disorder, nervousness), osteoarthritis, cataract, chronic kidney disease, heart condition, hypertension, and stomach disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination reports and a need for further medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's right kidney cancer and his service, including presumed herbicide exposure.

The Board has dismissed the claims for a higher rating for generalized fungus infection and service connection for kidney disability, as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions, including OSA, HTN, right leg arterial insufficiency, ED, renal insufficiency, diabetic retinopathy, and bilateral normal tension glaucoma, mild dry eyes, cataract of the right eye, and pseudophakia of the left eye, as secondary to service-connected diabetes. The issues concerning lumbar strain with sacroiliac pain and labyrinthitis with vestibular dysfunction are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's spouse is denied aid and attendance benefits due to lack of need for regular aid and assistance, as evidenced by her ability to cook meals and assist with daily needs.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues of non-restrictive lung disorder, left lower extremity disorder, and renal disorder are pending.

The Veteran's death was caused by renal failure due to non-Hodgkins lymphoma. The effective date for DIC benefits is set at the first day of the month in which the Veteran died, April 1, 2004.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic kidney disease, diabetes, neuropathy in bilateral upper and lower extremities, Meniere's syndrome, and sleep apnea are all granted due to the presumption of exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange) during his Vietnam service. The Board found that these conditions were related to his Agent Orange exposure and hypertension.

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and his claims for service connection for renal cancer and COPD were denied. The Board found that the VA treatment did not contribute to the Veteran’s death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bladder polyps, thyroid disorder (goiter and multinodular goiter), and right adrenal gland disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were caused by exposure to contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune or Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for right and left shoulder disabilities, arm disabilities, elbow disabilities, depressive disorder, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, diabetes mellitus, atrioventricular block, and migraine headaches. The Veteran is also being asked to provide information about his SSA disability benefits.

The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for SMC (l) and automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment benefits, as he does not have anatomical loss or use of both feet, one hand and one foot. The decision was based on the current evidence showing no functional impairment requiring aid and attendance.

The Veteran's kidney cancer, liver disability, adrenal gland disability, and pancreas disability are remanded for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions. VA examinations will be conducted to determine the nature and etiology of these disabilities, with a focus on herbicide exposure during service.