Kidney disease decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his hypertension, which was caused by in-service Agent Orange exposure, contributed to his kidney disease and ultimately led to his death. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the appellant.

The Board dismissed all petitions to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD, hypertension, and kidney disease due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and severity of his service-connected PTSD. Additional VA examinations are needed to address the etiology of his hypertension and kidney diseases.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions and disabilities are being remanded due to the need for a hearing before the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure to herbicide agents during service. The VA is required to obtain any relevant treatment records and attempt to verify the Veteran’s claimed in-service exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's cause of death is related to his service, particularly asbestos exposure. The VA must obtain additional medical opinions and relevant treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was reopened, and he is now granted service connection.,His hypertension and kidney condition are denied as not related to his active duty service.

The Board denied the appellant's request for an earlier effective date of June 12, 2014 for the award of DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to her failure to file a claim based on service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's chronic kidney disease is related to his service-connected hypertension.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension as secondary to his service-connected chronic kidney disease, finding that there is at least a 50% chance (equipoise) that the hypertension is due to or aggravated by his service-connected condition.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for chronic kidney disease due to new evidence. The claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor actually occurred.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient etiological opinions regarding the Veteran's non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, hemolytic anemia and renal failure. The claims are related back as they were diagnosed during the appeal period.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's death was caused by service-connected conditions or due to his diabetes mellitus, type II. The VA will seek further information about the Veteran's exposure and review medical opinions on these issues.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected. The claims for bladder disability, cardiac disability, and kidney disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the causes of death and the Veteran's alcohol abuse. The issues are inextricably intertwined, so both must be addressed together.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a kidney disability and cervical spine disability. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including heart disorder, prostate cancer, kidney disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The remand requires additional development to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service aboard the U.S.S. Hancock.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral kidney disease, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and the Veteran's active service or exposure to asbestos. The preponderance of the evidence was against the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for a left inguinal hernia and remanded the issues of service connection for retained metallic fragments, back condition, kidney condition, and an initial compensable rating for a scar associated with the hernia. The Veteran is entitled to service connection for his current left inguinal hernia.