Kidney disease decisions — 2022

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is rated at 40 percent from April 20, 2018. Service connection for renal dysfunction and hypertension are also granted as secondary to the service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's bladder cancer residuals are being remanded for a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition. The issue of service connection for chronic kidney disease is also being remanded, with consideration given to whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's kidney disease is related to service-connected bladder cancer or due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include kidney condition, low back disability, neck disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, and hypertension.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability. The Board found no evidence of any heart, lung, renal, or DVT condition during his military service that could have contributed to his death.

The Veteran's death was caused by lung cancer, which is a secondary condition to his primary adrenal cancer. The Board has remanded the case for further development and an addendum VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's adrenal cancer was caused by his active service, including conceded herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's respiratory, kidney, heart, bladder, and prostate disorders are remanded for further evaluation due to exposure to toxic chemicals in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for scar residual of right thumb injury is granted. Claims for chronic kidney disease, atherosclerotic heart disease (coronary artery disease (CAD)) and congestive heart failure (CHF), sleep apnea, and hypertension are denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and providing medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, kidney disability, and acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to February 13, 2020.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's kidney disabilities and their relation to military service, including his presumed exposure to herbicide agent. The VA examiner needs to provide additional detailed opinions on causation and aggravation.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a kidney disorder, and stroke residuals due to incomplete verification of the Veteran's periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA service. The RO is instructed to verify these dates and provide the VA examiners with the exact dates of all periods of Army Reserve service by the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for end stage renal disease, right eye disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient post-service medical records. The Veteran's kidney transplant is believed to be related to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various foot disabilities, sterility, kidney cysts, and a left varicocele disability have been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an updated VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's kidney stones are related to service, specifically during a period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty training (INACDUTRA), and whether they are secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, Type II.

The Board found that the reduction from a 60 percent rating to noncompensable for renal dysfunction effective October 1, 2014 was proper based on evidence showing sustained improvement in the Veteran's condition. The appeal for increased ratings for peripheral vascular disease of the bilateral lower extremities remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for Guillain-Barre syndrome, hepatic steatosis (fatty liver), and renal toxicity, finding that these conditions are causally related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions were denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims. The claim for hypertension is also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for ischemic heart disease and kidney disease. The remand is due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides while stationed at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, which could affect his claims.

The Board denied service connection for a left forearm disability, hypertension, congestive heart failure, and kidney disorder. The Veteran's left forearm condition is not related to his service-connected scaphoid fracture. His hypertension is not secondary to any service-connected disability or in-service injury. His congestive heart failure and kidney disorder are also not related to his service-connected disabilities.,The Board denied service connection for a kidney disorder, as the underlying claim of service connection for hypertension was denied.

The Veteran's hepatitis C, kidney disorder, and erectile dysfunction are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his time in service at Camp Lejeune. The claims for a kidney disorder and erectile dysfunction are remanded for further examination.