Kidney disease decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and denied entitlement to accrued benefits. The causes of death were not related to service, including exposure to Agent Orange or radiation.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased evaluation and service connection. The Board cannot proceed with these issues as the Veteran has requested to withdraw them.

The Board denied service connection for chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral eye disability, and heart disability. The disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by active duty or training.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of adequate medical opinions and potential need for additional evidence. The claims are now pending with the RO for further development.

The Veteran's cancer, specifically squamous cell cancer of the ureter, is granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure.,The cause of death, squamous cell cancer of the ureter, is also granted as service connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lung cancer and kidney cancer are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding chemical exposure during his military service.

The Veteran's renal failure with hypertension was rated at 60 percent prior to November 7, 2017 and increased to 80 percent from that date. The Board denied a higher rating for the disability.

An increased rating of 60 percent for coronary artery disease is granted from December 6, 2011.,Service connection for a skin condition (fibromatous type changes and keloid) is granted. The Veteran's current disability includes bilateral cataracts and glaucoma secondary to diabetes mellitus.,PTSD claim dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.,Bilateral hearing loss claim dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.,Service connection for bilateral cataracts, bilateral glaucoma, kidney infection, bilateral shoulder pain, bilateral knee pain, bilateral ankle pain, obstructive sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and lower back pain is remanded. Service connection for sciatica is also remanded.,An increased rating for diabetes mellitus secondary to cataracts and glaucoma is remanded.,Service connection for kidney infection is remanded.,Service connection for bilateral shoulder pain is remanded.,Service connection for bilateral knee pain is remanded.,Service connection for bilateral ankle pain is remanded.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities is remanded.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is remanded.,Service connection for lower back pain is remanded.,Service connection for sciatica is remanded.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the claims for bilateral hearing loss, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, kidney disease, hematuria, vertigo/vestibular disorder, and chronic cerumen buildup of the left ear. The claims for tinnitus have not been readjudicated as no new and relevant evidence has been received.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and remanded the other issues due to inadequate VA medical opinions.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of a right adrenal gland tumor as the Veteran withdrew his appeal through his authorized representative.

The Board has remanded the severance of service connection for various conditions and the determination of effective dates due to a potential OIG investigation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The initial rating for his kidney cancer with right nephrectomy remains at 60 percent, effective March 1, 2018.

The Board denied service connection for a kidney disorder, finding no current diagnosis and noting that the Veteran's STRs were silent for any complaints or treatment related to this condition.,Service connection was also denied for obstructive sleep apnea. The Board found that there is credible evidence of an in-service event (snoring, choking, gagging, and vomiting in their sleep) and a current disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic kidney disease and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of his conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service. The kidney cancer claim is remanded as there is insufficient medical evidence to determine its relation to in-service herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's kidney cancer is found to be at least as likely as not related to his in-service herbicide exposure, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for kidney, heart, groin, skin, and hiatal hernia disabilities due to chemical exposure. The Veteran's service at Camp Lejeune is noted, but no specific exposure to herbicide agents or other chemicals is confirmed. Additional medical examination is required.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted since June 20, 2005 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The appeal is dismissed because the Veteran died during the pendency of the appeal, and there are no surviving claimants eligible for substitution.