Kidney disease decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for a kidney cyst and granted an effective date of November 19, 2019 for the 30 percent rating for headaches. The Veteran's appeal was remanded on other issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and chronic kidney stones due to herbicide exposure, as well as their secondary effects from service-connected PTSD. The case requires additional development including obtaining an addendum medical opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for renal cell carcinoma and hypothyroidism due to inadequate prior medical opinions. The cases are now pending further development.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims for various conditions including anxiety disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic kidney disease, sleep disorder, and head injuries.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is proximately due to his service-connected chronic kidney disease, and thus grants service connection for this condition as secondary to his service-connected disability.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration. Specifically, they need to obtain medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's chronic kidney disease is related to herbicide exposure during service and if his diabetes mellitus requires regulation of activities.

The Veteran's initial staged disability rating for service-connected chronic kidney disease is granted at a 100 percent from August 15, 2013. The ratings prior to that date are denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease with bypass surgery is denied. The claims of service connection for kidney disability, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 14, 2013 for a 60% evaluation for service-connected membranous nephropathy (kidney disability) is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 12, 2016 for the grant of service connection for scleroderma renal crisis is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including kidney condition, rheumatoid arthritis, osteomyelitis, osteoporosis, and gastrointestinal (GI) condition. The remand is due to inadequate medical nexus opinions obtained on previous remands.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer, but has remanded the issue of kidney disability due to lack of evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA opinion to address whether the Veteran's Parkinson's Disease medications caused or aggravated his bilateral kidney disorder, and if so, whether it had its onset during service.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of renal failure as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected rhabdomyolysis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a kidney disorder and a respiratory disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting the regulatory requirements.,Service connection for hypertension was denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis and failure to show continuity of symptomatology within one year after separation from service. The VA opinion found that exposure to chemicals at George AFB did not cause the Veteran's hypertension.,The claim for service connection for a back disability was denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or chronic condition, and the VA opinion found that the Veteran's current condition is more likely related to degenerative changes rather than her period of active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and its related secondary conditions due to insufficient reasoning in the previous VA opinion. The case is also remanded for service connection of kidney failure, hypothyroidism, bilateral macular edema, hypertension, high cholesterol, arthritis, diabetic neuropathy of the right lower extremity, diabetic neuropathy of the left lower extremity, chronic anemia, and a dental disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hip disabilities (right and left hips) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected back disability.,Service connection was also granted for renal dysfunction, but it is denied as not related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board found no evidence to support a connection between the Veteran's kidney disorder and his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The condition is not considered presumptively related to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied service connection for sickle cell disease, right eye glaucoma, right hip avascular necrosis, and renal disorder due to lack of evidence showing aggravation during service or any other basis.

The Board denied service connection for a bowel disability and gastrointestinal disability, but granted service connection for a kidney disability due to exposure at Camp Lejeune.,Service connection was not established for the Veteran's bowel disability as there is no evidence of such during or recent to the filing of the claim.