Kidney disease decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient rationale provided by the VA examiner regarding his kidney condition and bilateral lower extremity conditions. The issues are inextricably intertwined, as a decision on one issue could significantly impact another.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of August 5, 2010 for the grant of service connection for erectile dysfunction. The issue of a prior effective date for hypertensive kidney disease is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cystic kidney disease, eye condition (keratoconjunctivitis), sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) have all been denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a causal link between these conditions and active service.,The Veteran's testimony regarding his experiences in service was considered, but the VA examiners noted inconsistencies and lack of consistency in the Veteran’s statements.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development being necessary, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA physician regarding whether the Veteran's renal disorder is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion evidence and needs further clarification on whether the Veteran has any additional kidney disability in addition to kidney stones. The Veteran's current kidney disability is related to his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, kidney disease, a distended or weakened bladder, cytomegalovirus, hypothyroidism, and rheumatoid arthritis were denied. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's disabilities and his military service. The appellant is seeking service connection for bilateral kidney disability, prostate cancer, and left ankle disability.

The Board has granted service connection for renal cell cancer, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam is at least as likely as not a cause of his condition.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected condition, and the Board finds that his bronchial asthma with obstructive pulmonary ventilation did not contribute to his cause of death. The VA treatment he received is not considered to be the proximate cause of his death.

The Veteran's cause of death is remanded for further evaluation, including a VA medical opinion on the etiology of his terminal renal cancer and whether it was related to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service. Service connection for bilateral eye disability remains unresolved.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating due to incomplete development, including verification of exposure to ionizing radiation. The Veteran is also required to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for a back disability is granted. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for kidney cancer due to exposure to environmental toxins during military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his hypertensive nephrosclerosis status post kidney transplant is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and updating the VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for chronic kidney disease and bladder disorder secondary to diabetes due to outdated medical opinions. The Veteran's service-connected diabetes is being evaluated again with updated VA records, including recent treatment notes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hand tremors and left renal cyst are being remanded due to insufficient evidence and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's nephrolithiasis (kidney stones) is granted with a rating of 30 percent. The right-hand disability and joint pain disorder are both remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for prostate cancer, renal disability, erectile dysfunction, bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as his request for an increased rating for TIA. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his service or secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including abnormal EKG, hemorrhoids, renal insufficiency, cellulitis, skin condition, hyperlipidemia, and gastroenteritis. The Veteran's hearing loss in the left ear was also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for kidney disorder, erectile dysfunction, and sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinions regarding exposure to toxic chemicals like trichloroethylene (TCE) at Wurtsmith Air Force Base.

The Veteran's headaches are granted with a 30% rating prior to January 20, 2019 and a 50% rating from that date onwards. The claims for sleep apnea, kidney condition, bilateral pes cavus, rib condition, and an acquired psychiatric condition are pending.