Kidney disease decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection were reopened due to new evidence, but the claims for DM, hypertension, arthritis, bilateral eye condition, ED, and kidney disorder were all denied. Headaches were found to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for kidney disability, hypertension, back disability, and neck disability due to inadequate examinations and opinions. The cases are now pending for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives, and a new VA opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's renal cell carcinoma is related to his confirmed exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Veteran's kidney disability is being remanded for further clarification of its nature and etiology, including whether it was aggravated by service or if a superimposed injury occurred. The claims for secondary conditions are also being remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the primary claim.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including hypercholesterolemia and hyperlipidemia, tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, atrial fibrillation, kidney failure, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disability have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic kidney disease is proximately due to his service-connected prostate cancer, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for kidney and bladder disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection. The examiner must determine if the disabilities were incurred or aggravated by in-service events, including exposure to environmental chemical agents while stationed at military bases.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including vertigo and flank pain. The Veteran's complaints of these conditions predate his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hyperaldosteronism status post left adrenalectomy had its onset during active service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions. The issues include heart disability, acquired psychiatric disorder, back disability, kidney disability, urinary disability, right leg muscle disability, esophageal/gastrointestinal disability, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right ankle scar.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, gout, renal failure, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient competent medical evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for kidney removal, status post nephroureterectomy. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer and chronic kidney disease with hypertension, are severe enough to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. Therefore, the Board has granted a TDIU (Total Disability Rating for Compensation Purposes Based on Individual Unemployability). Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits is also established.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and failure to follow its own instructions. The Veteran's VA treatment records from 2010 to present need to be obtained for proper evaluation of her kidney disorder.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various conditions, including renal disease, brain aneurysm, cerebrovascular accident, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and blood clots, all claimed to be due to in-service chemical exposure. The AOJ is directed to verify the Veteran's claimed exposures.

The Veteran's death was due to metastatic adenocarcinoma unknown origin, chronic kidney disease, chronic hepatitis, and hypertension. The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for cause of death and entitlement to death pension.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's worsening kidney disease and whether it was proximately caused by VA treatment or an event not reasonably foreseeable.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for kidney disease, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service or any related conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and related secondary conditions have been granted. However, the Board has found that additional evidence is needed to determine if his kidney disease and peripheral neuropathy are secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's preexisting kidney condition was aggravated during service, and the Board granted service connection for his current kidney disability.