Kidney disease decisions — 2023

Your claims for service connection have been granted. The Board has found new and relevant evidence that supports your claims.

The Veteran's claims for metastatic renal cell carcinoma to liver and lung mass are remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his conditions are related to service, including exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for kidney disease and TDIU prior to October 11, 2018 was dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of peripheral neuropathy were also dismissed.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis of the right kidney and nonfunctioning left kidney with hydronephrosis due to a request for withdrawal by the Veteran's authorized representative.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes, congestive heart failure, renal kidney failure, hypertension, flat feet, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and alcohol use disorder), stomach ulcers, hearing loss, tinnitus, and migraines. The reasons for remand include a lack of evidence regarding exposure to chemicals in service, the need to verify in-service stressors, and incomplete records from Dr. P. Weaver.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension due to herbicide exposure and for kidney cancer as secondary to the now service-connected hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's kidney disability and depression claims are remanded due to incomplete development of records from his service in Germany, lack of adequate medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the kidney disability, and the need for further examination by a nephrologist. The psychiatric claim is also remanded as it is intertwined with the kidney disability claim.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for primary myelofibrosis, a chronic condition to account for kidney failure, COPD, diabetes, and emphysema are reopened. The issues of service connection for these conditions due to petrochemical exposure, including benzene, are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a full readjudication.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for kidney cancer, spinal cancer, and paralysis from the chest down due to potential secondary service connection with existing disabilities. The case is also remanded for clarification on the nexus between the Veteran's RCC and his service-connected hypertension and diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's kidney disability is proximately due to his service-connected hypertension and erectile dysfunction, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, liver disease, kidney disease, and scleroderma as there was no evidence of a current disability or a link to service. The Veteran's cause of death (pancreatitis) was not related to any service-connected condition.

The Board has denied the claim for SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status due to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The case is being remanded to obtain a VA opinion addressing whether the Veteran needed regular aid and attendance or was housebound as a result of his PTSD, and if so, whether it was related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further examination. The issues include COPD, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, major depressive disorder, kidney condition, and liver condition.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to a duty to assist error. A new opinion is needed to assess the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employment.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis and epistaxis, but denied service connection for kidney cancer. The decision is based on the evidence showing that sinusitis and epistaxis likely had their onset in service, while kidney cancer was not related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including venous thrombosis, embolism, thoracic aortic aneurysm, pleural effusion in left hemithorax, bibasilar subsegment atelectasis and linear atelectasis of left lower lobe, anemia, kidney disease, hypertension, calcified pretracheal and hilar lymph nodes, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), congestive heart failure, arrhythmia, nail disorder, dementia, osteopenia, skin rash, and tremors. The Board found that the evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and service or an in-service injury.

Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a neck disability, and several other conditions. The remaining claims are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hip DJD and kidney disability have been granted service connection. The heart disorder, RLE neuropathy, and LLE neuropathy claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has ordered a remand to determine the nature and severity of the service-connected prostate cancer residuals, including any renal dysfunction. The current VA evaluation is deemed insufficient.