Kidney disease decisions — 2021

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including blindness, glaucoma, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, shoulder pain, elbow and wrist swelling, toe numbness, leg numbness, jaw joint pain, hip joint swelling, knee and ankle pain, bilateral pes planus, foot bunions, rib fracture discomfort, hand weakness, left hand swelling, tonsillitis, dizzy spells, fatigue, pharyngitis, allergy disorder, breathing disorder, sleep apnea, heart condition, ulcer, gastritis, gastrointestinal problems, GERD, kidney disorder, lipoma, obesity, arm numbness and pain, and finger numbness. The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection for these conditions.,The Veteran's TBI claim is also denied as there was no in-service head injury or related condition.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining addendum opinions regarding the Veteran's kidney condition and right knee disability, as well as scheduling a VA examination for his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus, bilateral upper and lower neuropathy, chronic kidney disease, macular edema, retinopathy, and hypertension are all granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes disability. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to a lack of adequate VA examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for pulmonary hypertension and clear cell renal cell carcinoma (renal cancer) due to duty-to-assist errors. The VA will obtain addendum opinions from an appropriate clinician to address the nature and etiology of these conditions, including their relationship to military service, Agent Orange exposure, and PTSD.

The Board has remanded the cases of diabetes mellitus and kidney failure for further development due to inadequate medical opinions addressing the Veteran's lay statements.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for kidney stones, right ear hearing loss, and chronic sinusitis due to new evidence received since the last final decision. The claims are being reviewed again as they may have a connection to service.

Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is granted. Service connection for a renal disability is remanded.

Service connection is granted for renal cell carcinoma and metastatic renal cancer nodules of the lung (claimed as lung cancer). The cause of death is also service-connected.,The Veteran's surviving spouse, the Appellant, was granted DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for kidney disease, heart condition, and stroke due to presumed exposure at Camp Lejeune. Additional medical opinions are needed regarding these conditions.

The Veteran's kidney cancer residuals have been granted an increased rating of 30 percent effective April 21, 2021. The condition is rated based on the presence of albumin and red blood cells in his urine.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension and kidney disease, finding that there was not sufficient evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for his cause of death, finding that there is no probative medical evidence indicating that his congenital heart disease contributed to his death. The Board also found that Barlow's Syndrome did not contribute to his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for renal and rectal cancer due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The case is now pending with a new examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for renal insufficiency, finding that his condition does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his service. The issues of service connection for left great toe injury and kidney disability are being reviewed again with additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with prior Board directives and need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to various disabilities, including chronic kidney disease, coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular accident, migraine headaches, male reproductive disability (to include sterility, hypogonadism and erectile dysfunction), thrombocytopenia, and hypertension. These issues are currently remanded for further evaluation.

Your appeals have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn them.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The issues include gout, residuals of pneumonia, bladder disorder, kidney disorder, right foot disorder, left foot disorder, bilateral knee disorder (previously claimed as arthritis), bilateral shoulder disorder (previously claimed as arthritis), and bilateral ankle disorder (previously claimed as arthritis).