Kidney disease decisions — 2023

The appeal of the service connection claim for kidney stones is dismissed.,The appeal of the service connection claim for sinusitis is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lung disease with chest polyps, arthritis and joint pain, renal cancer, and a prostate disorder due to incomplete VA treatment records during the period of appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease and PTSD, along with his nonservice-connected kidney failure, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from June 30, 2015, but no earlier.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for kidney stones, finding that an addendum opinion is needed to address whether his kidney stones are proximately due or the result of his service-connected disabilities. The issues include determining if the Veteran's kidney stones have been aggravated by his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for postoperative kidney stones and tinnitus have been denied as the current ratings are considered to be the maximum allowed under VA regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic kidney disease, finding that it is proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of ESRD, back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability have been granted. A rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection on all listed conditions prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of the Veteran's service records, particularly regarding his exposure to herbicides in Korea. The Appellant seeks service connection for her deceased spouse's cause of death and DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as these conditions are not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during service. The Veteran's statements regarding the etiology of his conditions were considered but found insufficient due to lack of specialized training.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, type II and its related peripheral neuropathy, eye condition, kidney condition, and erectile dysfunction, have been denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other causative factors for these conditions.

The Board has remanded several claims for service connection due to the need to determine the exact nature of the Veteran's active service, including periods of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA. The Veteran is also requested to provide his complete SSA record.

The Veteran's cause of death, renal cancer, was determined to be directly caused by exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. An effective date of May 6, 2015, is granted for the award of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating and direct service connection for renal cell carcinoma is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected due to the lack of evidence linking his cause of death (hepatic cirrhosis) to service, including exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of liver disease, kidney disease, and prostate disability due to unresolved issues regarding exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left adrenal gland carcinoma and gastric cancer due to an inadequate VA examination report. The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical opinions and further development is required.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, renal disease, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and bilateral flatfoot as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected cervical and/or lumbar spine disabilities, achilles tendonitis, and use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include migraine disorder, lung disorder (COPD), colon disorder (IBS), kidney disorder (renal mass), and vertigo.