Kidney disease decisions — 2021

The Veteran's cause of death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during his service in Thailand. The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hypertension and herbicide exposure, as well as incomplete service records. The Appellant is seeking service connection for the cause of her husband's death, which includes claims related to hypertension and potential herbicide exposure.

The Board has dismissed all claims for service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cancer of the right kidney, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence linking any possible residuals to military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lid myokymia and service connection for adrenal adenoma due to inadequate examinations in April 2015. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to determine if his lid myokymia has resolved, when it resolved, and how it resolved. An addendum opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension was caused by an adrenal adenoma.

The Board has vacated the August 2018 decision and remanded for further development on service connection claims due to the Veteran's death. The claims are now being considered on their merits.

The Board denied service connection for glaucoma and kidney disease, finding that the conditions were not related to service or any service-connected disabilities.

Service connection has been granted for diabetes mellitus, type II and bilateral lower and upper extremity peripheral neuropathy. Service connection is also granted for kidney disability and prostate disability due to herbicide agent exposure.,The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II is found to be the primary cause of his bilateral lower and upper extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance is dismissed as moot, while his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for renal failure is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension and a kidney condition due to insufficient medical opinions provided in the previous remand. The Veteran's private treatment records are also needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete compliance with previous directives and the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's death and his service-connected toxocara uveitis.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and no service connection decisions were made.

The Veteran's interstitial nephritis, post-kidney transplant, did not meet the criteria for a higher than 30 percent disability rating due to lack of constant albuminuria with some edema; definite decrease in kidney function; or hypertension at least 40 percent disabling under diagnostic code 7101.

The Board has determined that the remand was not conducted as requested and thus, the case is being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further action.

The appeal for service connection for kidney disease, claimed as kidney transplant, is dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an effective date prior to April 8, 2013 for a rating increase to 100 percent for kidney disability. The claim is dismissed.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his liver and kidney disease were not caused or aggravated by his use of Oxycontin to treat low back pain related to a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that there was no substantial compliance with the December 2018 Board remand instructions and thus, the issues on appeal must be remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and kidney failure due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran's service treatment records indicate participation in a medical research project involving antiviral drugs, but no specific chemical exposure is documented.