Kidney disease decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to determine if the Veteran had exposure to herbicidal agents, including Agent Orange, in service. If such exposure is found, a VA medical opinion will be obtained to address whether the bladder cancer and kidney cancer are related to that exposure.

The Veteran's kidney disability is not considered to be a result of VA medical treatment, including the use of prescription medications. The Board found that there was no additional disability beyond the natural progression of his renal dysfunction following his appropriate and necessary nephrectomy.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to chronic lymphocytic leukemia, neutropenic fever, and tumor lysis syndrome. The claim was also denied for COPD and CAD.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a PTSD examination. The issues of service connection for kidney disability (claimed as secondary to peripheral neuropathy and PTSD) and thyroid disability (claimed as secondary to parathyroid adenoma) are inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to in-service exposure and continuous presence since active duty.,Service connection for chloracne and renal dysfunction is denied as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or a link to service.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction (due to herbicide agent exposure) is denied based on the VA examiner's opinion that age is more likely contributing factor.,Service connection for hepatitis C (due to herbicide agent exposure) is denied based on the VA examiner's opinion that it is not a presumed condition of exposure.

The Veteran's diabetes insipidus and adrenal failure/insufficiency are currently rated as noncompensable, but the Board finds that updated VA examinations are needed to determine if these conditions may be secondary to her service-connected pituitary disorder.,The Veteran's hypoparathyroidism is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board finds that updated VA examinations are needed to determine if this condition may be secondary to her service-connected pituitary disorder.,The Veteran's osteoporosis and glaucoma are currently not service connected, but the Board finds that updated VA examinations are needed to determine if these conditions may be secondary to her service-connected pituitary disorder.,The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent. The Board finds that updated VA examinations are needed to determine if this condition may be secondary to her service-connected pituitary disorder.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection and initial ratings for various conditions, including bilateral plantar fasciitis, allergic rhinitis, postoperative kidney stone, left heel spurs, hearing loss, tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, and kidney cyst. The Veteran's claims are pending further examination or evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for a new medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the appellant's polycystic kidney disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's kidney cancer is related to service. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if his current kidney conditions are at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by service, including any in-service findings of a kidney infection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected hepatitis. The TDIU issue is also inextricably intertwined and must be addressed concurrently.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a left shoulder disability, type 2 diabetes mellitus, kidney disability, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and heart disability (claimed as coronary artery disease), have been denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or exposure to herbicide agents that would support presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's death was caused by multiple organ dysfunction with underlying causes of septic shock and adrenal insufficiency, with HIV listed as a significant condition contributing to his death. The appeal for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for HIV is denied.,Service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death cannot be established because no service-connected disability caused or contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of type II diabetes mellitus, bilateral macular edema, coronary artery disease, and kidney cancer due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and erectile dysfunction claims need further examination to determine their etiology, specifically whether they are secondary to his service-connected schizophrenia.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development and medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD secondary to PTSD was denied.,Service connection for hypothyroidism, colon polyps, and adrenal disability due to exposure to ionizing radiation is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his end stage renal disease was likely caused or aggravated by NSAIDs used to treat his service-connected right knee and shoulder disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases of erectile dysfunction, renal cell carcinoma, and kidney removal for further development to determine their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his reported exposure to herbicide agents during service, as well as other issues related to diabetes and psychiatric conditions. The claims will be further developed to attempt to corroborate the Veteran’s account of in-service stressors.