Kidney disease decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypogammaglobulinemia, kidney disease, and non-Hodgkins lymphoma status post peripheral stem cell transplant due to potential exposure to toxic environmental conditions during active service. The Veteran's records indicate he served at Hamilton and Hickam Air Force Bases, which have been identified as Superfund Sites by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The Board dismissed the appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus. The low back disability was readjudicated and granted service connection, with the opinion that it is at least as likely as not related to peacetime service. Service connection was denied for vision disorder, kidney disorder, left ear hearing loss, and right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for schizophrenia, prostate gland condition, and kidney cancer and residuals are remanded due to the need for additional development regarding exposure to herbicides in Korea.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of prostate condition, bladder cancer, and kidney condition due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's death was not caused by or proximately due to VA medical treatment, and the Board finds that there is no evidence of fault on the part of VA. As a result, DIC compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, chronic kidney disease, and residuals of clear cell carcinoma of the kidney due to his conceded herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam. The Veteran is seeking presumptive service connection based on this exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral kidney disability, specifically whether it is caused by exposure to Camp Lejeune contaminated water or aggravated by his use of NSAIDs for service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure. The eye disability, adrenal gland tumor, and tumor neoplasm of the right side are not service-connected as they were not shown during service or related to any service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA examination for the Veteran's kidney condition, which is claimed as related to contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune during his service.

The Veteran's death was not due to service-connected causes. The Board found insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the primary cause of death and the Veteran's active duty service or a service-connected disability. The appeal is remanded for further evaluation regarding potential VA care that may have contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to Agent Orange exposure, as well as chemical and radiation exposure. The VA is instructed to verify the Veteran's claimed exposures and schedule him for further examinations if necessary.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions and records, as well as further investigation into the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in service.

The Veteran's bilateral adrenal adenomas were not incurred in service and are unrelated to any incident of service, including exposure herbicide agents.,The Veteran's perforated tympanic membrane is not attributable to his active-duty service.

The Veteran's claims for cervical spine disorder, right ankle disorder, bruised ribs and right kidney disorder, pain in eyes to include seeing floaters, tinnitus, poor blood circulation (hands & feet blotchy), migraine headaches, and bilateral hand tremors are all denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,The Veteran's claim for PTSD is also denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and consideration of new evidence, including VA treatment records and Vet Center records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 27, 2019 and from February 1, 2021 to May 12, 2021. His TDIU is granted.

The Board has decided the bladder and heart disability issues, but has remanded the left kidney disability issue due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's service connection claims for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's Crohn's disease and ESRD are granted as service connected, with the ESRD being secondary to his service-connected Crohn's disease.

The Board has remanded the claim due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives, specifically regarding a diagnosis of chronic kidney disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion to determine if his kidney disability is related to service or exposure to herbicide agents. The claim for hypertension remains denied.