Kidney disease decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims for type 2 diabetes mellitus, heart disability, kidney disease, and bilateral eye disability due to inadequate VA opinions regarding their etiology. The claims are inextricably intertwined with the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for kidney and gallbladder disabilities due to incomplete VA examinations. The issues of entitlement to higher combined rating are also remanded as they depend on the outcome of the service connection claims.

The Board has determined that there was clear and unmistakable error in assigning an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for left upper extremity weakness, left lower extremity weakness, and chronic kidney disease with hypertension. The Veteran's claims are remanded to obtain a new rating decision.,Additional examinations are needed to address the severity of the Veteran's sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU prior to November 16, 2021.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to outstanding treatment records and a need for an examination under the PACT Act. The Veteran is presumed exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board dismissed all issues of service connection and related reopening claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has dismissed all appeals regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection, ratings, and effective dates.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and vocational experience.

The Board has denied service connection for heat stroke and lower back injury, but granted service connection for kidney disease. The claim for erectile dysfunction is being remanded.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction is being remanded to determine the etiology of the Veteran's condition.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's chronic kidney disease is not service connected, and has remanded the issue of his gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The Veteran was exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during service.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for various conditions, including those secondary to a hysterectomy and/or medication prescribed post-surgery, was denied as the evidence did not support that these conditions were caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.

The Board denied service connection for neurogenic bladder and chronic kidney disease, both linked to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran's conditions are attributed to his neurogenic bladder condition.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as service-connected, with the condition believed to have onset during service and aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to conflicting medical opinions and a need for further examination. The Veteran's kidney cancer is presumed related to exposure at Camp Lejeune, but an earlier effective date may be warranted based on specific facts of his case.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional examinations and opinions to address whether the Veteran's chronic kidney disease is caused or aggravated by his service-connected back disability, and if he has a current diagnosis of bone mineral disease. The cases are also being considered under secondary service connection.

The Board has denied service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, associated kidney disability (claimed as secondary to DM II), hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea due to lack of evidence supporting an in-service onset or a causal relationship with the Veteran's service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his claimed disabilities, including Hashimoto's thyroiditis and unspecified autoimmune disorder, which he contends are related to exposure to ionizing radiation at Camp Lejeune. The VA will obtain additional medical opinions on whether these conditions are related to active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an incomplete VA examination and a need for further development, including scheduling another examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a kidney disability and a back disability due to outstanding VA treatment records, private treatment records, and Workman's Compensation records. Additional VA examinations are also required.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied due to lack of evidence supporting a current disability related to exposure to CLCW or service. The effective date for tinnitus is set at the date of receipt of the claim, and no extraschedular rating is warranted.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of colon cancer and kidney cancer, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other toxic materials that could support a claim.