Kidney disease decisions — 2022

The Veteran's kidney disorder is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding service connection due to herbicide exposure, water contamination at Camp Lejeune, or as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because he died during the pendency of his appeals for kidney disease and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral renal stone disease and right knee condition are being remanded due to procedural issues. He needs a VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee condition.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for joint arthropathy as secondary to his service-connected Crohn's Disease has been reopened. His joint arthropathy is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected Crohn's Disease.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for enteritis of the small and large intestine, bladder and/or renal neoplasms, and cystic kidney disease as secondary to his service-connected Crohn's Disease are remanded. Additional medical opinions are needed regarding the aggravation prong of secondary service connection.,No specific exposure basis was provided in this decision.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is not manifested by a deformity of the penis, and he has been granted a separate compensable rating for urinary frequency due to ED.,Beginning April 12, 2016, the Veteran experiences daytime voiding between two and three hours or awakening to void two times per night. Beginning March 13, 2019, the Veteran experiences daytime voiding between one and two hours or awakening to void three to four times per night.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable rating for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,Multiple issues related to hearing loss, eye injuries, back disorders, sciatica, foot problems, shoulder conditions, sleep apnea, hypertension, liver and kidney disorders, respiratory conditions, skin conditions, and athlete's foot have been identified. The Veteran will be scheduled for further evaluations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a kidney disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his active service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for metastatic kidney cancer, bladder cancer, nephrectomy of the right kidney secondary to kidney cancer, and spine cancer are all granted due to presumed exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's kidney disability is remanded for further medical opinions to clarify the nature and progression of his diagnosed conditions, including whether they are related to active duty service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, finding new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for both conditions.,The Veteran's depression and eye condition (claimed as vision loss) are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected. The kidney disability, diabetes mellitus, and high blood pressure are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's cause of death was determined to be cirrhosis of the liver with hepatic encephalopathy, which is related to his service-connected PTSD. The appellant was recognized as the surviving spouse for VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits due to her continuous cohabitation with the Veteran until his death.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for service-connected nephrolithiasis and for service connection for a sleep disorder, as secondary to service-connected conditions and obesity. The AOJ is instructed to obtain any pertinent medical records and schedule the Veteran with appropriate examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for separate compensable ratings for renal condition and/or hypertension as complications secondary to and/or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of renal cell carcinoma and a prostate disability can be adjudicated. The claims are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between the disabilities and service-connected conditions, as well as exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's service connection claims for kidney disease, congestive heart failure, right lower extremity edema, left lower extremity edema, and a right knee disorder have been granted. The claim for service connection for kidney disease is denied due to lack of in-service injury or disease and no chronic symptoms after service.

The Veteran's kidney condition, associated with diabetes mellitus type I, is rated at 100 percent effective from June 28, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding in-service exposure to herbicide agents and the need for additional medical opinions on various musculoskeletal conditions, liver condition, bladder cancer, chronic kidney disease, respiratory condition, and colon condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cause of the Veteran's death, tonsillar cancer (lymphoma), and DIC benefits due to a duty-to-assist error regarding an adequate VA etiological opinion. The remand includes obtaining a new VA opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for anemia, kidney disorder (nephrolithiasis), and basal cell carcinoma as due to exposure to toxic chemical solvents during service. The VA examiners provided opinions that these conditions are not related to service or toxic chemical exposure.