Kidney disease decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus with congestive heart failure, chronic renal insufficiency, and impotency secondary to diabetes has been reopened. The claim for bilateral hearing loss (claimed as defective hearing) is granted.,Service connection for tremors was denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of the Veteran's chronic kidney disease, particularly related to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The claim will be reconsidered with additional information.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for calluses of the feet was denied in a final rating decision. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen this claim.,Service connection for kidney dysfunction, neurological disorder, bladder disorder, and back disorder (claimed as arthritis) were all denied due to lack of current diagnoses or established link to service.

The Veteran's death was caused by anoxic brain injury, with other significant conditions including renal transplant, diabetes mellitus type II, and prostate cancer. The Board found that the Veteran served in the Republic of Vietnam during his period of active duty service and was therefore exposed to herbicide agents. As a result, the cause of the Veteran's death is considered due to exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear service records and conflicting medical evidence regarding the Veteran's cause of death. The remand includes obtaining official military records, confirming the Veteran's service on U.S.S. Princeton within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam, and obtaining missing medical records.

Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is granted.,Service connection for neuropathy of the right lower extremity as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus is granted.,Service connection for neuropathy of the left lower extremity as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus is granted.,Service connection for nephropathy (kidney disease) as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II is granted.,Service connection for colon cancer due to herbicide exposure is granted.,Service connection for hypertension due to herbicide exposure is granted.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for hypertension, myocardial infarction, stroke, diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease secondary to hypertension is granted. The claim for service connection for COPD is remanded.

The Veteran's right below-the-knee amputation is rated at 40 percent, and his chronic kidney disease is rated at 80 percent from May 31, 2018.,Prior to May 31, 2018, the Veteran's chronic kidney disease was rated at 60 percent.,The Veteran has been granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities and unemployability.,Entitlement to a higher disability rating for right below-the-knee amputation is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis, kidney disease, respiratory disability (chronic sinusitis), and dermatological disability (episodic pruritis and erythema on palms and soles) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected sarcoidosis. The appeals regarding fibromyalgia, fatigue condition, vision loss, cystitis, and a higher rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension with a history of renal artery transplant and headaches as secondary to this condition.,The Veteran's hypertension is considered renovascular in nature, secondary to his pre-existing renal artery stenosis.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's death was caused by exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, and whether any underlying conditions are related to his service. The case will be remanded for further medical opinions.

The Veteran's Graves' disease and thyroid disability are granted as secondary to his service-connected multiple myeloma. The other conditions have been denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's kidney disability and his service. Further examination is needed to determine if there is a link between the Veteran's exposure to chemicals in service and his current condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, kidney disorder, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's HTN is being evaluated for its onset during service or causation by diabetes. His kidney condition and peripheral neuropathy are also being evaluated for their onset during service or causation by diabetes.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability (arthritis) is granted service connection. Service connection for kidney disorder (claimed as kidney cancer), hypertension, and residuals, head laceration are remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by VA carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or an event not reasonably foreseeable. The use of amiodarone did not contribute to his cause of death.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, particularly regarding his assertions of continuity of symptoms since separation from active duty and the potential secondary effects of his alcohol abuse on his liver disease.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU due to incomplete medical records and insufficient opinions regarding the impact of CML on his health.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypotension, diabetes, and kidney failure have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.,Diabetes was not caused by service, including the alleged consumption of 'bug juice' during boxing. The Veteran did not experience symptoms since discharge.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cerebrovascular accident, heart condition, kidney condition, testicular condition, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), bilateral knee condition, and left lower and upper extremity paralysis have all been denied as there is no evidence of a direct link between these conditions and his military service.,The Veteran's service records were destroyed in 1973, making it impossible to establish any connection between the claimed disabilities and his active duty.