Kidney disease decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for service connection and SMC based on aid and attendance was received on February 27, 2017. The effective date of the SMC award is set to February 27, 2017 due to the grant of service connection for IgA nephropathy.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for kidney athrophis and left kidney renal cyst, as these conditions are claimed to be related to in-service herbicide exposure. The VA will need to obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for congestive heart failure secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension.,Service connection for chronic kidney disease is denied as there is no evidence of a presumptive link to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's ureter/kidney cancer is related to herbicide exposure during service. The VA needs to obtain an expert medical opinion on this issue.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to service connection, including generalized anxiety disorder, kidney disability, Parkinson-like symptoms, residuals of a stroke, right foot disability, skin disability, and vision disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic renal failure with congestive heart failure and ascites, as secondary to a service-connected disability is denied because he does not have a primary service-connected condition upon which secondary service connection may be granted.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a duty to assist error regarding the Veteran's causes of death and DIC. A VA examination is required to address whether the Veteran's causes of death are related to his service-connected disabilities or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The kidney disability is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for renal insufficiency and right renal malignancy status post removal, finding that the Veteran's kidney disease is proximately due to his service-connected disorders. Service connection was also granted for erectile dysfunction as secondary to hypertension.

The Veteran's hypertension is related to acknowledged herbicide exposure in service and granted pursuant to the PACT Act. The issues of adrenal adenoma, BPH, essential thrombocythemia, MPN, polycythemia vera, renal lesion, and polymyalgia rheumatica are remanded for further examination and opinion regarding their relationship to herbicide exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, and an addendum opinion is needed regarding the service connection for a kidney disorder.

The Veteran's cause of death was due to metastatic neuroendocrine cancer, but the Board finds insufficient medical evidence to determine if his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune caused this condition. The case is remanded for a VA medical opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hyperthyroidism and nephrolithiasis, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and issues have been withdrawn or remanded. The right knee disability claim has been reopened, but service connection is not granted. Sleep apnea secondary to PTSD is granted. Bilateral hearing loss requires a VA examination. A higher evaluation for PTSD is required. Headaches need an addendum opinion. Chronic rhinosinusitis needs a VA examination and etiological opinion. Right knee condition also requires a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hyperlipidemia, kidney failure, and multiple myeloma have been denied. The Board found that the conditions are not related to service or service-connected disabilities.,There is no evidence of herbicide exposure in Germany where the Veteran served, which is a requirement for presumptive service connection under VA regulations.

The Veteran's kidney disorder, including nephropathy with hypertension, was found not to meet the criteria for a higher disability evaluation.,Erectile dysfunction was also found not to warrant a separate compensable rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II; hypertension; ischemic cardiomyopathy, to include CAD and a pacemaker, status post quadruple bypass; left and right lower extremity PAD; and CKD. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection due to lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment.

The Veteran's chronic kidney disease and renal cysts are being remanded for further development due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's kidney cancer is a result of Agent Orange exposure during his service in Vietnam, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension are granted as presumptively due to herbicide agent exposure under the PACT Act.,Diabetic left foot ulcer is granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.,Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.