Kidney disease decisions — 2022

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's kidney condition and its relation to herbicide exposure. The Veteran is seeking service connection for renal failure, but the VA examiner concluded that PCKD is not related to his active service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and hypertension, caused by exposure to herbicides during his Vietnam service, substantially contributed to his death from COPD. The Board granted service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to need the regular aid and attendance of another person, leading to a grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for unspecified depressive disorder is dismissed.,The previously denied claim for service connection for non-allergic vasomotor rhinitis has been reopened and granted on secondary basis to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.,Service connection for hypertension is granted as secondary to obesity, which was caused by his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.,Service connection for cerebral infarction is granted as secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted as secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.,Service connection for migraine headaches is granted as secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.,Service connection for sleep impairment is denied.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to his service-connected hypertension or diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for gastroenteritis is denied.,Service connection for chronic kidney disease is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for rhinitis, sinusitis, and bronchitis is granted as related to service.,Service connection for fatigue or chronic fatigue syndrome is denied.,Special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance of another person is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal regarding an increased rating for his right ankle disability and service connection for kidney cancer must be remanded due to insufficient evidence of record.

The appeal for service connection of a cervical spine disability is dismissed.,Service connection for bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy is denied.,An initial compensable rating (10%) is granted for service-connected nephrolithiasis.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran's representative. The examiner is requested to provide updated opinions regarding whether the current kidney condition and lower extremity circulation disabilities are proximately due to or the result of, or permanently aggravated by, the service-connected status post aortic valve replacement with pacemaker associated with herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for kidney disorder, diabetes mellitus type 2, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The VA is required to provide a new examination and medical opinion addressing whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's kidney condition, requiring further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, kidney disability, eye disability (jaundice), respiratory disability, and anemia due to inadequate VA medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, renal disability, and SMC based on aid or attendance/housebound rate due to new evidence added since the April 2022 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for the cause of the Veteran's death due to a lack of evidence showing that VA treatment caused his death.,The Board also denied service connection for the Veteran's cause of death, finding no direct or presumptive service connection based on the conditions listed as causes of death.

The Board has granted the reopening of the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder and renal/kidney failure, but denied both claims on the merits. The evidence does not support a finding that either condition had onset in active service or is otherwise causally connected to active service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease as the evidence did not support a link to service or other conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, and stage III kidney failure have been remanded.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a kidney condition is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's death is due to his service-connected PTSD, but the Board needs additional evidence and a medical opinion to determine if his fatal cardiomyopathy constitutes ischemic heart disease warranting service connection.

The Board denied service connection for right kidney removal, finding that the Veteran's condition was a congenital defect present prior to service and not aggravated by any in-service events or diseases.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient findings regarding the Veteran's mustard gas exposure and the relationship between his cause of death and service.

The Board has determined that the VA did not obtain all requested service treatment records and failed to provide a proper medical opinion regarding the cause of death. The case is being remanded for these issues.