Kidney disease decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for heart arrhythmia, COPD, kidney condition, and hysterectomy including residuals due to exposure to chemicals while stationed at Fort McClellan, Alabama. The AOJ is required to secure an adequate research report specifically addressing the Veteran's contentions of her exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for kidney disorder and lung disorder due to insufficient evidence, including a lack of VA examination opinions. The Veteran's death prevented obtaining medical opinions directly related to his service.

The Board has denied service connection for a left knee disability and remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension as due to exposure to tactical herbicide agents, and secondary service connection for kidney condition on a causation basis.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as a result of the PACT Act. The kidney disease secondary to hypertension, migraine headaches, diabetes mellitus, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, status post distal pancreatectomy, and dizziness are all remanded for further development.

The Veteran's neck and back disabilities are granted as they are related to his active service.,The Veteran's kidney stones were not caused by his military service, but the Board finds that his urinary tract issues are secondary to his kidney stones.

The Board has denied service connection for a headache disorder due to the absence of current diagnosis. The claims for low back, chronic kidney condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's heart disability, left upper extremity diabetic neuropathy, right upper extremity diabetic neuropathy, hypertension, kidney dysfunction (secondary to hypertension), residuals of strokes, and dementia are all granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his Vietnam-era service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including eye conditions, foot and ankle disabilities, fatigue syndrome, cysts, and warts. The Veteran is asked to provide information about his treatment from private medical providers who may have treated him for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to asbestos exposure for throat cancer, COPD, lung cancer, dysphagia, and chronic kidney disease. Additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied service connection for IBS, a lumbar spine disability, prostate disorder, kidney disorder, pharyngitis, and otitis media. The Veteran's assertions were not supported by the evidence of record.,Service connection was denied as there is no persuasive medical evidence showing that any current diagnosed condition is related to active duty service or any incident thereof.

The appeal is dismissed as the appellant died during the pendency of the case, and there are no merits to adjudicate.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, nephropathy (chronic kidney disease), and high cholesterol. The Board found that there was no evidence of continuous symptoms since service discharge or a relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cause of death.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, gall bladder disability, chronic kidney disease, gout, and hemorrhoids as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease that relates to these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities, as well as a bilateral kidney disease. The Veteran's claim for a left hip disability is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of sufficient severity to produce unemployability as defined by regulation, and the Board has granted TDIU from February 7, 2011, to November 5, 2020.

The Veteran's claimed disabilities are not service-connected and the Board finds no evidence to support a finding that any of his conditions were caused by VA treatment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bladder cancer, stage 3 kidney disease, and diabetes due to exposure to Agent Orange during his service in South Korea. The VA is instructed to obtain additional information regarding the Veteran's service in the DMZ and at Fort McClellan.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of medical opinion addressing whether any service-connected disability contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death, which was caused by sepsis.

The Board has ordered a remand for further examination and opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's chronic kidney disease, including consideration of his service history.