Kidney disease decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's kidney disorder, including nephrolithiasis, is related to his service-connected type two diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied service connection for multiple myeloma, CLL, hypertension, and chronic renal disease as the evidence did not support a link to active duty service or any presumptive conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left kidney disability and genitourinary system disability, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding of service connection on a direct or secondary basis.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease, including diabetic nephropathy, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service, with a presumption of herbicide exposure. The decision also grants service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic kidney disease as secondary to diabetes mellitus and hypertension has been granted. The Board found that the Veteran's current condition is due to his pre-existing conditions, specifically his diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to have had its onset during his active service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.,The Veteran's chronic kidney disability is found to be proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's headaches are now rated at 50 percent, the highest possible rating under VA guidelines. The kidney stones continue to be rated at 10 percent and not in need of a higher rating. TDIU remains denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions alone do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran had kidney cancer and if his kidney was removed. The AOJ is instructed to obtain relevant medical records, including from VA treatment providers and private doctors, and schedule a VA examination to determine these facts.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information on the Veteran's income and medical expenses, which is necessary for a full decision.

The Board has granted a TDIU from January 2014, but dismissed the appeal for October 25, 2018 onwards due to the Veteran's combined disability rating of 100%.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for narcolepsy and hypertension. The prostate cancer claim is remanded due to inadequate VA examination, and the kidney disability and bilateral lower extremity disability claims are also remanded.,Further evaluations by VA are needed to address the Veteran’s prostate cancer, kidney disability, and bilateral lower extremity disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's kidney cancer is related to his active military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including MDD, headaches, and renal cell carcinoma, have resulted in a TDIU effective as of the date of his formal application for TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete examinations and additional development is needed, including an opinion on whether the Veteran's kidney condition is aggravated by his service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for depressive disorder has been denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.,Service connection for kidney disease and gout have both been remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship to service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is not service connected as there was no in-service diagnosis or manifestation of the condition, and it did not manifest within one year after separation from active duty.,Peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, diabetic retinopathy, and kidney failure are not secondary to diabetes mellitus and are not otherwise related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus (diabetes) due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for an opinion regarding whether his autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type II is caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to potential herbicide exposure and/or diabetes mellitus, as well as other conditions. The VA is instructed to verify the Veteran's exposure history and obtain an addendum opinion regarding his diabetes diagnosis.

The Board denied service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury due to lack of evidence showing a TBI during service.,The Board also denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for Right Kidney Nephrectomy, finding no fault on the part of VA in treatment.