Kidney disease decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the cases of rectal cancer and kidney cysts for additional development to determine if there is a nexus between these conditions and toxic exposure during service, specifically at Camp Lejeune. The examiner must also consider whether the Veteran's service-connected kidney stones may have aggravated either condition.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertensive retinopathy and chronic kidney disease, both of which are found to be proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension. The claim for residual of head injury, including headaches, is reopened based on new medical evidence.

The Veteran's metastatic renal cancer is granted as service connection for substitution purposes.,The cause of the Veteran's death, respiratory failure due to metastatic renal cell carcinoma, is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for service connection.,Service connection was denied for chronic fatigue syndrome, hypertension, cataracts, kidney stones, diabetes adult onset, peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, GERD, renal disease, and arthritis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a kidney disorder and urinary tract infection, finding that there is no evidence of such conditions during or immediately following service. The Board also found insufficient medical evidence to support secondary service connection based on PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, kidney failure, diabetes mellitus, type II, and prostate cancer due to potential service connection based on herbicide exposure. The case requires further development including obtaining personnel records and determining if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the medical opinions and need for further development of records, particularly regarding gastrointestinal and kidney disorders.

The Veteran's claims for residuals of a nose injury, bronchitis, hearing loss, and headaches have been denied. The claim for chest pain is remanded, as are the claims for left eye disability and kidney cancer.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's exposure to tactical herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam. The Regional Office must obtain additional records and possibly medical opinions to determine if the Veteran was exposed to these agents, which could affect his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address issues of service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for kidney stones, as well as a potential left leg disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for loss of a kidney, dysuria, erectile dysfunction, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete development and requests an advisory medical opinion from the VA Under Secretary of Health regarding whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's kidney cancer resulted from exposure to ionizing radiation in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment since September 19, 2017.

The Veteran's chronic kidney disease is being remanded for a new examination to determine if it is related to his service at Camp Lejeune, despite the lack of a presumption under 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(f).

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C, liver disorder, blood disorder, kidney disorder, and heart disorder due to exposures at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran was not afforded in-person examinations as instructed by prior remand directives.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the cause of death and aggravation of pre-existing conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for the cause of his death and for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318, finding that none of his service-connected disabilities were a principal or contributory cause of his death.

The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy were denied. The claim for tinnitus was not granted as higher than 10 percent.,PTSD was rated at the highest possible level (70 percent) prior to July 16, 2020, and TDIU was granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his exposure to chemicals while stationed in Japan. The Board will consider all of his claimed conditions, including cardiovascular issues and diabetes, as part of this case.

The Veteran's chronic kidney disease is not service-connected due to exposure at Camp Lejeune, as the evidence does not establish a nexus between his current condition and service.