Kidney disease decisions — 2023

The Veteran's chronic kidney disease is caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition as secondary to his diabetes.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's service in 2012 and 2016, as well as a need for a medical opinion on whether kidney stones are related to toxic exposure risk activity.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obesity, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), renal cell carcinoma of the left and right kidneys, and atrial fibrillation due to a lack of probative nexus opinions linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual employability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, which include bilateral nephrolithiasis with chronic kidney disease and hypertension, depressive disorder, left clavicle fracture, and tinnitus. The combined rating of 70% meets the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the claim for cause of death is denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's chronic kidney disease is related to his military service, but needs a new VA examination to determine if it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's prostate disability and kidney disability are denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's degenerative disc disease, cervical spine (claimed as neck pain) is denied due to lack of in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's bilateral nuclear sclerosis cataract and posterior vitreous detachment (claimed as vision problems), left shoulder strain (claimed as shoulder pain), sleep condition including insomnia and sleep disturbance, and erectile dysfunction are all denied without a clear service connection being established.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for CAD and service connection for kidney cancer are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

Service connection is granted for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Type II Diabetes Mellitus, and Congestive Heart Failure due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service in Thailand. Service connection is denied for Peripheral Neuropathy of the Bilateral Lower Extremities and Diabetic Kidney Disease.

The Veteran's left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 40 percent effective August 12, 2018.,The Veteran's hypertension is not rated in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's initial rating claim for hypothyroidism was denied. The claims of entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for service-connected hypertension and service connection for chronic kidney disease as secondary to hypertension were remanded due to the failure to consider VA treatment records from 2014-2020 and a lack of opinion regarding whether the Veteran's chronic kidney disease is related to his hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) was denied as there is no medical evidence showing a nexus between the condition and her military service.,Service connection for a kidney condition was also denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to her military service.

The appeals for service connection have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's kidney cancer is related to his exposure to herbicide agents during service, and the Board has granted service connection for residuals of kidney cancer.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for kidney disability, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy in the femoral nerve, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy in the femoral nerve have been denied. The criteria for a higher rating were not met as the conditions did not meet the required GFR or paralysis levels.

The Veteran's claims for respiratory and groin disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disorders, DMII/kidney disorder, and hypertension as there was no evidence of these conditions in service or within the first year after separation from active duty.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to in-service noise exposure.,Service connection for Parkinson's disease and kidney cancer are granted based on chemical exposures during service.

The Veteran's eligibility for PCAFC benefits is being remanded due to unclear reasons and lack of adequate notice. The Board will request medical opinions from the CEAT regarding personal care needs, supervision or protection requirements, and need for regular or extensive instruction or supervision.

The Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type II are granted as service-connected due to in-service herbicide exposure.,Service connection for kidney stones is granted with a rating of 10 percent.