Kidney disease decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for acute renal failure due to inadequate efforts by VA to obtain his private medical records. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's heart condition, diabetes mellitus type II, prostate cancer, kidney condition (secondary to diabetes), right upper and lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and tinnitus have all been granted service connection based on evidence of herbicide exposure during active duty.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and skin condition are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for kidney cancer and lung cancer due to potential exposure to herbicides while serving aboard the U.S.S. Coral Sea in Vietnam waters.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, multiple sclerosis, and kidney condition were denied. The Board found that the current conditions are not related to his military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's hypertension and kidney disorder are being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine their etiology, including consideration of service connection based on herbicide exposure. The issues of secondary service connection for hypertension due to ischemic heart disease and the onset of kidney stones during or within one year of separation from service are also being addressed.

The Board has decided that the claim for service connection for polycystic kidney disease, to include as secondary to a service-connected disability, should be remanded due to the need for additional development and an addendum VA medical opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new one must be conducted.

The Veteran's diabetes is presumed related to in-service exposure to herbicide agents at Fort Detrick. Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus (diabetes) has been granted.

The Board has denied service connection for a kidney disability but has remanded the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's kidney disability is not related to his military service and there are conflicting diagnoses of psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment prior to December 3, 2008.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his exposure to Project SHAD and its associated toxins. The claims are now pending again with instructions to obtain addenda to the March 2021 examiner's opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hepatitis C and kidney problems (diagnosed as chronic kidney disease) has been withdrawn. The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder in early remission is granted an increased rating of 70 percent, but not higher.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and renal cell carcinoma residuals due to in-service herbicide exposure, as there is insufficient evidence on record regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for malignant melanoma, kidney cancer, and bladder cancer due to inadequate opinions in previous remands. The claims are remanded for further development including obtaining medical opinions on direct and secondary service connection.

The Veteran's initial rating for chronic kidney disease with hypertension is granted at 60 percent, effective from February 5, 2013. The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted prior to August 4, 2016.

The Board has denied service connection for peripheral vascular disease of the right and left upper extremities, as well as for hypertension and chronic kidney disease. The claims are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection is not granted for peripheral vascular disease of the right and left lower extremities, as there is no current diagnosis or evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and various cold injury residuals are denied. The claim for chronic obstructive airway disease is also denied.

The Board has remanded the claim for VA medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's renal failure was caused by negligence or similar fault in VA medical treatment. The case will be returned to the Board after further review.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to new service personnel records showing multiple periods of active duty for training (ANACDUTRA). The claims will be reviewed with consideration of these additional periods.