Kidney disease decisions — 2022

The Veteran's sinusitis and hypertension are granted service connection. The Veteran's pericarditis and kidney disease claims are remanded for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for kidney cancer, finding that there was no evidence linking his condition to herbicide exposure or any other in-service event.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral tinnitus, a right hip condition, and diabetes mellitus type II were granted. The claim for chronic kidney disease is remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's employability due to his service-connected disabilities, and has therefore remanded the case for further action.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of kidney cancer and scars associated with kidney cancer for further development. The case of TDIU is also remanded due to incomplete information provided by the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, a heart disorder, renal dysfunction, and erectile dysfunction as the Veteran's duties at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base did not place him on or near the base perimeter and he was not otherwise exposed to herbicide agents during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete Reserve service records and unobtained deck logs from the USS Dixie. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Veteran's cause of death was not caused by a disability incurred or aggravated during active military service, and the Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for GERD, stomach disorder, and OSA have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.,Service connection for OSA was denied because there is no persuasive evidence that it began during service or is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to inadequate examinations. The Board will schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to address his lumbar spine, left knee, right knee, and kidney stone disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to July 2, 2017 and November 27, 2018 for service connection of left upper extremity radiculopathy and right upper extremity radiculopathy are denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic kidney disease (CKD) is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound was denied as he did not meet the criteria due to his service-connected disabilities, which included dementia, chronic renal failure, seizures, atrial fibrillation, COPD, and ileostomy.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted service connection, but the right renal cell carcinoma claim is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the April 2022 remand directives and finds another remand is necessary to obtain an adequate VA opinion regarding the nature, severity, and likely etiology of the Veteran's kidney condition(s).

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and disabilities have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn all items on appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claims for pneumonia, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease are granted. Pneumonia is denied due to lack of current residuals. Hypertension is granted based on a finding that symptoms were present during service and continued after service. Chronic kidney disease is granted as secondary to hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy, right shoulder disorder, right rib disorder, and right kidney disorder as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. A separate 20% rating is also granted for instability of the left knee.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for chronic kidney disease with hypertension is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion from the June 2019 VA examiner.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for renal cell carcinoma. The Veteran's kidney condition is related to his diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease, but smoking history is also a significant factor.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's kidney disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during service.