Kidney disease decisions — 2023

The Veteran's chronic kidney disease, polycystic kidney, and hyperkalemia are caused by service-connected hypertension. The skin disability is not related to service or any event, injury, disease, or exposure during service.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, kidney disease, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and dementia. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Board denied compensation for a kidney disability, finding that the Veteran's condition was not caused by VA care or treatment.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to incomplete development and the need for VA medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, specifically related to his exposure to commercial pesticides during military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for alcohol abuse disorder, bilateral callus, clavi, renal cell carcinoma, liver condition, and hepatitis C have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service onset or relationship to service for any of these conditions.,For pseudofolliculitis barbae, the Veteran's current condition has not met the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 40 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating due to lack of episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring hospitalizations.,Both lower extremity neuropathies are currently rated at 10 percent each. The Veteran's right and left femoral nerves have mild incomplete paralysis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete development and failure to obtain addendum opinions. The Veteran's representative provided reasons for non-compliance with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease is granted due to exposure to herbicide agents.,Service connection for skin cancer is denied as the evidence does not support a link between the condition and military service, including herbicide exposure.,Service connection for chronic kidney disease is denied as there is insufficient evidence linking the condition to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's chronic kidney disease (CKD) is currently rated as 30 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for cystic kidney disease is denied.,His rating for hemorrhoids remains at 10 percent, as there is no evidence of persistent bleeding or secondary anemia.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, diabetes mellitus type II, and unspecified depressive disorder. The right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy appeal was dismissed due to a reduction from 10% to 0%. Other claims were addressed but not decided.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease is granted due to exposure to herbicide agents.,Service connection for skin cancer is denied as the evidence does not support a link between the condition and military service, including herbicide exposure.,Service connection for chronic kidney disease is denied as there is insufficient evidence linking the condition to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for the cause of death and DEA benefits due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cancer. The VA is instructed to obtain new medical opinions addressing the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's cancer, including his in-service exposures.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to May 3, 2017 due to a lack of evidence showing he was unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left kidney removal and chronic renal insufficiency of the right kidney due to new evidence received since the November 2007 rating decision. The claims are now remanded for further development, including obtaining an opinion on whether the Veteran's conditions are related to his exposure to Camp Lejeune contaminated water during service.

The Board denied service connection for gastrointestinal, prostate, kidney, and hypertension disorders. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection due to chemical exposure or other presumptive conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened, and the Board is remanding cases related to kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, and bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's ankle and knee disabilities are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the onset of these conditions during active service.,The Veteran's kidney transplant disability is also remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its cause.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected right kidney renal failure does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability evaluation, as his GFR levels have not consistently been within the required range for at least three consecutive months during the past twelve months.