Kidney disease decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than February 13, 2013 for service connection of chronic renal disease with hypertension and for a higher rating for his hypertension. The claims are being returned to obtain additional development.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining the curriculum vitae of the VA examiners and issuing a supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding service connection claims, including those related to tonsil cancer and kidney damage with stones. The coronary artery disease claim remains denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for benign neoplasm of the kidney, status post left nephrectomy, finding that there is no evidence linking the condition to his in-service exposure to ionizing radiation and concluding that the condition was not incurred during service or related to any other in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's right kidney cancer is granted as service-connected due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's diabetes, bilateral lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, and kidney disorder are related to his service in Southwest Asia. The claims must be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's initial rating for diabetes mellitus type 2 was denied, but an effective date of July 21, 2015, and special monthly compensation were granted. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction and left/right sciatic peripheral neuropathy were not rated higher than the assigned levels.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's kidney problems (now claimed as kidney stones) were reopened due to new and material evidence, but service connection is still pending.,Service connection for tinnitus was granted.

The Veteran's kidney disorder, gastroesophageal disorder, gastrointestinal/bowel disorder, headaches, low back disorder, and neck disorder are all remanded for further examination and opinion to determine their etiology. The claims will be considered in light of the Veteran's service in the Gulf War and his reported symptoms during service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to verify herbicide exposure and determine if the Veteran's kidney disability is related to his service, including any in-service basketball injury.

The Board has remanded four issues for further development: PTSD with major depression, bipolar disorder, left knee condition, and kidney condition. The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need to verify in-service stressors, clarify whether he has a current diagnosis of bipolar disorder, obtain VA treatment records, and provide an opinion on the relationship between his service and these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication due to insufficient opinions from VA examiners regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disorder and renal mass.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further evaluation and consideration of his claims, particularly regarding prostate cancer and fatigue. His testicular condition claim also requires additional review.

The Veteran's initial rating for ischemic heart disease is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claim for TDIU from January 31, 2016 to April 2, 2021 is also denied.

The Veteran's lung cancer and lung nodules are being remanded for further evaluation due to conflicting medical opinions. The neurobehavioral effects claim is also being remanded as the evidence does not support a connection with Camp Lejeune exposure.,VA will provide additional evaluations under the PACT Act based on the Veteran's participation in a TERA and will obtain an opinion regarding whether his neurobehavioral effects are secondary to sleep apnea or major depression.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of coronary artery disease, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease as secondary to Type 2 diabetes mellitus, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity as secondary to Type 2 diabetes mellitus, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has granted service connection for kidney cancer as secondary to in-service exposure to herbicide agents, finding that the evidence is in equipoise and resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various conditions are being remanded due to a failure to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various conditions are being remanded due to a failure to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of May 13, 2021 for the awards of service connection for kidney disease stage III and special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria. The Veteran's claim is now considered as filed from that date.