Kidney disease decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment, as he does not have a loss of use of one or both hands or feet, nor any other qualifying condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for contact dermatitis and a total disability rating on the basis of individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU). The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic kidney disease, finding that exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune aggravated a pre-existing condition (sickle cell trait). The decision also grants reopening of the previously denied claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.,The effective date claim for PTSD is denied as VA received a formal or informal claim within one year after separation from service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's renal disability and hypertension. The RO must obtain addendum opinions from a physician to address these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's metastatic renal cell carcinoma is at least as likely as not caused by his presumed exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Orange. As such, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for renal stones with hydronephrosis, prostatomegaly, and urinary retention were denied as they are not related to service or presumed exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a renal disability, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or any other presumptive conditions. The Board also found that there was insufficient medical opinion to support a secondary service connection claim based on his service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip, left hip, right knee, and left knee disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected ankle sprains and plantar fasciitis. Service connection for a kidney condition is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for ulcerative colitis and kidney cancer, both of which are associated with exposure to Agent Orange during military service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted service connection. The issues of residuals of adrenal gland surgery and amyloidosis, hypertension, kidney failure, and heart disability are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and diabetes mellitus due to potential herbicide agent exposure during active duty. Additional development is needed including obtaining treatment records from a VA facility in Dayton and an opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a congenital kidney disability manifested by an absent right kidney and hypertrophy and cysts of the left kidney, finding that it initially manifested during active duty and is related to service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings for various disabilities, including psoriatic arthritis, kidney disorder, left shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and right ankle disability. The issues were withdrawn by the Veteran through his attorney.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, kidney stones, and gastrointestinal signs and symptoms due to an undiagnosed illness are all granted. Service connection is also granted for PTSD with a rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, heart disability, mesothelioma, and kidney cancer are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and clarification regarding his exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left renal cell carcinoma, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his condition and herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, chronic kidney disease, and coronary artery disease due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during the Vietnam era. The Veteran's claims are supported by his testimony at a hearing and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a kidney disorder and hypertension have been reopened, but the Board has remanded these issues due to the need for additional development.,A prostate condition claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and bilateral kidney cysts due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.