Kidney disease decisions — 2022

The Veteran's duodenal ulcer, rhinitis, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, chronic dermatitis (bilateral arms), gastroenteritis, and GERD have been granted service connection. The remaining issues of service connection for these conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's prostate disability, left knee disability, kidney disability, and cancer of the left ear were denied service connection as there was no evidence to support their onset or relationship to his military service.,A compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for impaired fasting glucose, ischemic heart disease, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, cataracts, vitreous degeneration, right knee disability, left foot and right foot plantar fasciitis, IBS, diverticulosis, cholelithiasis, inguinal hernia, prostate enlargement, hypertrophy of the prostate, kidney cyst, microscopic hematuria, thick walled bladder, esophagitis, eosinophilic esophagitis, and stricture and stenosis of esophagus have all been denied.,The Veteran's service connection claims are not supported by evidence showing a current disability or a relationship to service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, thyroid disability, and renal disability due to insufficient evidence. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic kidney disease is secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) and myocardial infarction, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that multiple myeloma was the primary cause and segmental glomerulosclerosis and kidney failure were contributory causes. The appeal is based on direct service connection without any presumption or exposure basis.

The Board dismissed the appeals for chronic sinusitis, chronic pharyngitis, fatty liver, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, kidney disease, right shoulder joint pain, left shoulder joint pain, right hip pain, and left hip pain. The appeal for arthralgias, multiple sites was remanded due to the need for a VA examination. The appeals for sleep apnea and urticaria were also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for the issues of a rating in excess of 30 percent for status post kidney transplant and a compensable disability rating for scars secondary to status post kidney transplant. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's cause of death, which included chronic kidney disease and malaria, is denied as service connection for these conditions cannot be established due to lack of evidence supporting a direct or secondary relationship with his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine conditions, cardiovascular condition, fatigue, and a vision condition are remanded. Service connection is granted for the residuals of kidney and ureter removal and associated surgical scar.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for seizures and suprarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm due to exposure to herbicide agents need further development, as VA medical opinions are required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of consideration on direct causation and exposure to herbicide agents. Additional examinations are required.

The Veteran's claim for financial assistance due to service-connected disabilities resulting in loss or use of feet is being remanded for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for renal cell carcinoma is remanded due to new evidence provided by the Veteran linking ocular infections and tetracycline to renal diseases. The Board finds that a VA examination should be scheduled to determine if RCC is related to in-service exposure to herbicide agents, service-connected conditions, or other factors.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and granted service connection for kidney cancer with an effective date of March 14, 2017. The Veteran also requested an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for kidney cancer based on direct service connection, but this was not granted as it would be precluded by the liberalizing regulations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to obtain relevant medical records and consider all evidence received since the July 2018 statement of the case.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed bladder, liver, renal, and hypertension disabilities. The AOJ must also consider whether service connection can be granted on a presumptive basis due to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes and chronic kidney disease, as well as his claim for an earlier effective date for service connection. The Veteran is to be scheduled for VA examinations to assess the current severity of his disabilities, and all relevant medical records are to be obtained.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations have been denied. The Veteran is granted a 10% evaluation for right and left shin splints, but her claims are remanded for further development regarding other conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various kidney conditions due to inadequate examination and lack of documentation.