Kidney disease decisions — 2021

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection on all six issues, including diabetes, left hand neuropathy, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, kidney disease, and a skin condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for kidney cancer, finding that there is no evidence linking the condition to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and a kidney condition due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his current conditions, with hypertension potentially related to diabetes or herbicide exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding his nasal condition, heart condition, left hip condition, and cysts on both kidneys.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder and major depressive disorder, is granted service connection. The issues of entitlement to service connection for OSA, kidney stones, type 2 diabetes mellitus, a back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability are remanded.

The Board has found that additional evidence was obtained after the issuance of previous statements of the case, and thus, a supplemental statement of the case must be issued.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for kidney stones and enlarged prostate due to insufficient evidence on whether these conditions are related to service. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered with additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for metastasized renal cancer, BPH, and bilateral knee disability have all been denied as not service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 30 percent from June 7, 2013 to October 16, 2019 for nephrolithiasis (kidney stones) with polycystic kidney disease (kidney disorder) is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for coronary artery bypass graft residuals and bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The Veteran's TDIU claim as of February 19, 2014, but not earlier, is granted. The Veteran's special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance, being permanently housebound, or at the housebound rate prior to February 8, 2017, and from June 1, 2017, to December 22, 2019, is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions due to exposure at Camp Lejeune are being remanded as the RO has not adjudicated these claims yet.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, chronic renal failure, coronary artery disease, and related peripheral neuropathies have been granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been denied. Claims for left ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease is granted. The claims for acquired psychiatric disorder, kidney cancer, and skin cancer are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand four claims for service connection due to the need for additional development regarding herbicide agent exposure and VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed to his death. The appellant seeks service connection for the cause of her husband's death, which was caused by multiple factors including obesity and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's service in Thailand and his exposure to herbicide agents. The VA needs to further investigate these issues before making a determination.

The Board dismissed the veteran's claims for service connection due to his death during the appeal process.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease and kidney cancer due to herbicide agent exposure are granted.

The Board has granted service connection for Adult Polycystic Kidney Disease and Hypertension, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions had their onset during active service.

The Veteran's cause of death was not caused by or substantially contributed to by a service-connected disability. The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory and heart conditions were not related to his military service.