Kidney disease decisions — 2022

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, chronic kidney disease, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and edema of the bilateral lower extremities. The appeals are denied.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection of unspecified depressive disorder, renal disease, and hypertension due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to December 4, 2017. The Board found the evidence against a finding that his service-connected conditions prevented him from working.

The Board denied service connection for kidney stones and kidney disease, finding no in-service exposure to herbicide agents and insufficient evidence linking the conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was dismissed as the benefit sought on appeal has been fully granted.,Service connection for a tooth disorder secondary to GERD is denied. The evidence does not support a finding that the condition began during service or is related to an in-service injury.

The reduction of the rating for a left adrenal cyst from 20 percent to noncompensable, effective as of August 1, 2018, was improper. The 20 percent rating is restored, effective August 1, 2018.

The claims for service connection of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, diabetic retinopathy, and renal insufficiency status post kidney transplant have been granted due to the submission of new evidence. The claims are now pending for further adjudication.

The Board has dismissed all claims for service connection as no justiciable case or controversy is before the Board.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for residuals of thyroid cancer and kidney cancer due to inadequate VA opinions and the need for additional medical records. The claims are related to exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Orange.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a kidney disability was denied. The Board also remanded several other issues, including increased ratings and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service exposure to herbicide agents and asbestos, as well as his service connection for the cause of death. Further development is needed to determine these issues.

The appeal for service connection of a breast disorder is dismissed. The claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss has been reopened, but the issue remains remanded due to lack of evidence supporting the claim. Other issues remain remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for a left lower extremity disorder and a renal disorder, finding that the evidence does not support a relationship to service.

The Veteran's renal failure is determined to be a result of VA prescribed medication for his psychiatric condition, and the Board finds that this resulted from negligence on the part of VA. Therefore, compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for renal failure is granted.

The Veteran's kidney cancer, which caused his death, is found to be related to herbicide exposure in service. The Appellant is granted burial benefits and the DIC claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his current level of hearing acuity does not warrant a compensable rating.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as stress, is remanded due to the submission of new evidence indicating a possible causal relationship to service.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the issue of entitlement to service connection for cause of death due to potential herbicide exposure in Thailand and a possible nexus to hepatitis C. The case will be returned to the Board after compliance with appellate procedures.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's kidney disability, which may be related to his service-connected heart disability or medications taken therefor. The examiner is instructed to consider various medical records and provide an updated nexus opinion.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for liver disease, lung disability, and kidney disease due to a lack of VA examinations. The Veteran's testimony and military records support his claim that he was exposed to chemicals during active duty.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his claim. The appeals for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, tinnitus, kidney disease (due to exposure to contaminated waters at Camp Lejeune), and liver disease (due to exposure to contaminated waters at Camp Lejeune) are remanded.