Kidney disease decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the record existing prior to the appealed decision, including a possible in-service issue of elevated creatine levels and current diagnosis of malignancy of the right kidney. The Veteran's cause of death is also under review.

Service connection is granted for kidney stones. Service connection for testicular cancer, including based on exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, is remanded.

The Veteran's increased ratings for nephrectomy scar and neoplasm of the kidney were denied. The Veteran was granted a 60 percent rating for neoplasm of the kidney prior to February 21, 2020.

The Board has dismissed all claims related to service connection due to the death of the appellant.

The Board denied service connection for lupus, right upper extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity neuropathy, right hip disability, left hip disability, fibromyalgia, hypertension, and kidney disease. The Veteran's claims were not granted on a presumptive basis due to the lack of association between lupus and exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has granted the Appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his PTSD with alcohol use disorder caused or contributed substantially to his death.

The Veteran's kidney disorders, including Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis and Chronic Kidney Disease, are presumed to be due to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents. Service connection is granted for these conditions resulting from hypertension caused by the Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's kidney disability is granted on a presumptive basis due to in-service exposure at Camp Lejeune, with an effective date of March 14, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's kidney cancer, finding that it is related to his exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's left renal pelvic carcinoma with bladder cancer remains active and malignant, meeting the criteria for a 100% evaluation effective July 1, 2020.

The Veteran's chronic kidney disease is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2. The rating for nephrolithiasis and ureterolithiasis remains remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for tinnitus was withdrawn during his hearing. The Board granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and denied service connection for right knee, left knee, kidney cancer residuals, varicose veins, neck disability, acquired psychiatric disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to noise exposure in service.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims can be adjudicated. The case must be remanded for development in accordance with special development procedures as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's hemodynamic renal dysfunction is found to be at least as likely as not related to his service-connected diabetes and hypertension, thus granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraines, hypertension, skin disorder, kidney disorder, and diabetes mellitus, type II, require further examination to determine their etiology. The claims are being remanded for these examinations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and chronic renal failure as secondary to his service-connected hypertension. The decision is based on direct service connection for hypertension due to herbicide exposure, and secondary service connection for chronic renal failure.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for prostate and kidney disabilities, both claimed as due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran was presumed exposed to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is related to his service-connected kidney condition and has been granted service connection. The rating for the Veteran's kidney condition, currently rated at 60 percent, needs to be remanded due to incomplete medical records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a kidney disability, including kidney stones and chronic kidney disease, finding that there is not an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence. The condition is attributed to a congenital defect.

The Board denied service connection for a kidney condition, finding no current chronic kidney disability and that the Veteran's symptoms were not related to her service or service-connected hypertension.