Kidney disease decisions — 2022

The appeal on the issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is dismissed.,The appeal on the issue of service connection for a bilateral kidney disability, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's renal cell carcinoma and its relationship to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sarcoidosis and kidney disease due to potential issues with obtaining medical records, as well as needing further clarification on the etiology of the conditions. The claims are also inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's left kidney disability is currently rated at 60 percent from May 17, 2016. The Board found that an evaluation in excess of 30 percent prior to May 17, 2016 is not warranted.,An initial evaluation for central serous chorioretinopathy of the right eye was remanded due to inadequate examination and need for additional opinions.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, heart disability (to include coronary artery disease and hypertension), kidney disability, residuals of a stroke, memory loss, and blackouts and/or seizures all claimed as due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical records and opinions regarding his kidney condition, cancer, scars, and vision loss.

The Veteran's claims for gout, pseudogout, asthma, sleep apnea, and skin cancer were denied as not related to service. The claim for kidney disability was remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including vascular disease, OSA, CHF, pulmonary hypertension, arteriosclerotic vascular disease, GERD, renal disease and/or failure, and hemosiderosis of the liver, as these conditions are not shown to be related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for kidney stones was granted. Service connection for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, claimed as a chronic sinus condition, is also granted. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of kidney stones and diverticulitis. The claims for rash, diarrhea, and asthma have been reopened.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 18, 2018 for tinnitus is denied.,The claims for reopening of service connection for thyroid cancer and abdominal aortic aneurysm are granted.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for renal cancer, COPD, back injury with bilateral nerve impairment, acid reflux, IBS, left leg injury/muscle injury, right leg injury/muscle injury, shrapnel wounds on back and legs, disability of the sternum, soft tissue sarcoma, and diabetes mellitus type II are all denied.,Service connection for PTSD is granted from January 18, 2018 to January 10, 2019 with a rating of 70 percent.

Service connection is granted for hypothyroidism and chronic kidney disease, but the Veteran's thyroid disability other than hypothyroidism (Graves' disease and hyperthyroidism) and hypertension are not service-connected.,The Board finds that the evidence is in approximate balance as to whether the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his PTSD and in-service herbicide exposure caused his hypertension, heart disease, and heart failure which contributed to his death.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, chronic kidney disease, and hypertension are related to exposure to herbicide agents. The claims for these conditions will be remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's loss of spleen and his service, including an in-service accident with a flame throwing machine. The Veteran is requested to undergo a VA examination to identify any residuals or complications from the 1972 splenectomy.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left kidney disability and granted it. However, the claim of secondary service connection for HTN to the extent it may be related to the service-connected left kidney disability is remanded due to inadequate reasoning in the VA examination.

The Veteran's leg ulcers and kidney failure and disease are not related to service.,Right lower extremity RSD syndrome and CRPS is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service. Service connection for the renal condition is denied as it was not caused by or aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's lung cancer was related to his conceded herbicide exposure during service. The VA is requested to obtain an additional opinion on this matter.

The Veteran's cause of death is being remanded for a VA medical opinion to determine if his conditions are related to service or herbicide exposure. The claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 remains denied as the Veteran was not rated 100% disabled at any point.