Kidney disease decisions — 2020

The Veteran's cause of death was not related to his military service, and the Board denied entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated as 10 percent disabling, which is the maximum schedular rating permitted for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage. The Board has not awarded a higher rating.,The Veteran’s lumbar spine disability and kidney cancer are both remanded due to insufficient evidence on their etiology.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sarcoidosis, a lung disorder (to include as separate and secondary to sarcoidosis), a heart disorder (to include as secondary to sarcoidosis), an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include as secondary to sarcoidosis), and a kidney disorder (to include as secondary to sarcoidosis).,The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his noise exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to carcinogenic chemicals during service, and a new VA opinion is needed to determine if these exposures led to his bladder cancer and renal cancer.

The Veteran's cause of death was end-stage renal disease, presumed to be due to hypertension. The VA has provided opinions linking the Veteran’s conditions to service and herbicide exposure in Vietnam. However, a remand is needed for another medical opinion as the National Academy of Sciences upgraded the relationship between hypertension and herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, which was presumed to be service-connected due to herbicide exposure in the Gulf War, significantly contributed to his death from acute respiratory distress syndrome and other conditions. The Board found that while diabetes was not the primary cause of death, it substantially contributed to the cause of death.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left kidney cancer, finding that his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during his military service qualifies him for a presumption of service connection.

The Veteran's kidney condition is being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for a VA examination and updated medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his exposure to herbicide agents and whether he served in the Republic of Vietnam under the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019. The claims will also be reviewed for secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran's death was caused by exposure to herbicide agents during service, and a medical opinion is needed to determine if this contributed to his renal failure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and its relationship to service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type two, hypertension, and renal disease are granted service connection. His bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is also granted service connection. The Veteran's right and left knee patellofemoral syndromes have been granted increased ratings.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, including those involving diabetes mellitus and hypertension. The main issue is whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen these claims.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and clarification of diagnoses, as well as opinions regarding service connection. The Veteran's heart disorder, diabetes mellitus, type 2, and kidney disorder are all being reviewed to determine if they are related to his military service, including herbicide exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran's representative linking asbestos exposure and renal cell carcinoma. The case will be reviewed again with a focus on this new information.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for renal failure and COPD, as well as the claim for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status. The Veteran's renal failure is being examined to determine if it is related to asbestos exposure during service. His COPD is also being examined to determine if it is related to asbestos exposure and PTSD. These claims are inextricably intertwined with the SMC claim, so all of these issues must be remanded together.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for coronary artery disease, acute renal failure, anemia, and hypertension due to their inextricably intertwined nature with her claim of service connection for coronary artery disease. The heart disorder issue is also being remanded for a VA opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty regarding whether the Veteran served within the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of the Republic of Vietnam while aboard the USS Savage. The VA will need to determine this and obtain any relevant medical records.

The Board has decided to reconsider the previously denied claim of service connection for a left kidney disability, which is presumed to be related to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran's statements and medical records suggest that his condition may have developed during service or was aggravated by service. A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and extent of the disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether Agent Orange exposure caused or contributed to the Veteran's death from aortic valve stenosis and COPD. The cause of death was revised to include end stage renal failure, with contributing factors of MDS and COPD.