Kidney disease decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from December 31, 2015 to June 5, 2019. From June 5, 2019, the Veteran was in receipt of a 100% rating for lung cancer and SMC based on his additional service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for chronic renal insufficiency, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his in-service condition and his current kidney disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and secondary service connection for chronic kidney disease, both related to the Veteran's in-service exposure to Agent Orange. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling an examination if necessary, and providing a medical opinion regarding whether hypertension is caused or aggravated by service-connected PTSD.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for gastrointestinal cancer and kidney disorder as they are considered substitution purposes due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's kidney stones are granted service connection as they manifested within one year of his separation from active duty. The issue of an initial compensable disability rating for smallpox vaccine residuals is remanded.

The Veteran's cause of death is related to his military service, but the Board finds that the VA medical opinions are inadequate and requires further development.

The Veteran's appeal regarding his initial disability rating for renal insufficiency is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records related to his kidney condition.

Service connection is granted for bilateral tinnitus. The Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure.,Service connection is denied for heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, and diabetes mellitus, II. These conditions are not shown to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer and kidney disability, as well as his claim for TDIU due to unresolved issues regarding herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam. Additional development is needed including obtaining treatment records, confirming herbicide agent exposure, and providing medical opinions on the relationship between the conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining relevant treatment records and associating them with his claims file.

The Board has denied service connection for kidney disease, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, and a sleep disorder. The Veteran's claims are based on assertions that these conditions are related to his in-service medical history or his service-connected lumbar spine disability.,There is no direct evidence linking any of these conditions to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for renal disorder, to include renal cysts and chronic kidney disease, finding that it is not related to his active service or any incident therein, including exposure to diesel fuel or asbestos. The Board also found no evidence of a nexus between the renal disorder and his service-connected squamous cell carcinoma right base of the tongue and its treatment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for kidney stones is granted. The claim for increased evaluation for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, rated 10 percent prior to January 17, 2017 and 40 percent since then, is denied. The claims for higher ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right knee limitation of flexion are also denied. A rating of 10 percent for right knee lateral meniscus tear is granted. The claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to March 26, 2018 is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for his renal cell carcinoma is being remanded due to the need for an addendum medical opinion regarding whether it is proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy, and other related conditions are granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes.,Service connection is established for the Veteran’s diabetes-related disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus and major depressive disorder have been granted service connection. The Board has also remanded several issues related to his lower extremities, lumbar spine, ankles, feet, and kidneys due to the need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's renal cell carcinoma is being remanded for further investigation of his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during service.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic kidney disease and hypertension are granted. The TDIU is also granted, but the initial compensable rating for hypertension remains pending.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of COPD, renal cancer (secondary to diabetes mellitus type II), and hypertension (secondary to diabetes mellitus type II) due to the Veteran's death.