Kidney disease decisions — 2022

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and the Board denied entitlement to nonservice-connected VA death pension benefits and DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to errors in the initial decision-making process, including a failure to provide proper notice of his right to a hearing before the RO.

The Board has remanded the case for a new medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea. The other service connection claims are denied as there is no competent evidence linking the conditions to service.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, kidney disease stage 2, lymphocytosis, and leukocytosis (secondary to GERD). The right eye subconjunctival hemorrhage claim is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease, both presumed to be due to herbicide exposure. The issues of increased ratings for lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity sensory loss are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's exposure to toxic chemicals at Fort Ord and his service-connected residuals of a compression fracture of T-12 spinal segment in relation to his cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's cause of death, including acute renal failure and diabetes mellitus, is related to his service. The VA needs to obtain additional medical opinions and review records.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for left wrist, left knee, neck, right knee, right wrist, left hand, and right hand disorders have been dismissed. The appeal involving gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and chronic kidney disease has been remanded.

The Board denied service connection for renal cell carcinoma, finding that the Veteran's condition was not related to his military service or exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD with major depressive disorder and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of all four extremities, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance. As a result, he is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for kidney cancer with removal of left kidney, but denied service connection for colon cancer and melanoma surgery right side of neck and right ear due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for kidney cancer and mucinous adenocarcinoma of the lung due to a lack of evidence regarding his exposure to ionizing radiation, tritium gas, and beryllium during service. The AOJ is directed to attempt to obtain the Veteran's service personnel records and any unit histories or other official evidence that might corroborate his account of events.

The Board has granted service connection for both coronary artery disease and chronic kidney disease, finding that these conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for renal manifestations, amputation of the left lower limb above the knee, right leg disability, and right knee disability due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's VA treatment records note reports of symptoms in these areas during active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a distinct disability characterized as 'swelling' or 'seizure disability.' Service connection was also denied for substance abuse (alcohol) disorder, stroke residuals, and peripheral neuropathy due to lack of competent medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases for further evaluation due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed pancreatic disability and renal failure, including his exposure to Camp Lejeune contaminated water and Gulf War environmental hazards.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cataracts, left kidney disability, urinary obstruction, status post right radical nephrectomy residuals, and rhinitis as new and relevant evidence was not received to warrant readjudication.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for MGUS, stage III renal disease, and EoC were denied as new and relevant evidence was not submitted to support the claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment since July 29, 2012. TDIU is granted effective that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to January 13, 2011.