Kidney disease decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's polycystic kidney disease, which is claimed as related to herbicide exposure during service. The examiner concluded that the condition was not a congenital defect and did not clearly and unmistakably preexist service.

The Veteran's eczema, right foot plantar fasciitis, and left foot plantar fasciitis are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's kidney stones are granted as service-connected.

The Board has granted effective dates of July 12, 2021 for the grant of service connection for kidney cancer, s/p nephroureterectomy, and residual scars, s/p left nephroureterectomy. The Veteran also received SMC based on housebound criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents. The cause of death is considered natural, but service connection for kidney cancer remains unresolved.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and a kidney disorder. The claims are being remanded for further examination.

The appeal for service connection of loss of right kidney is dismissed as moot. The appeal for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The kidney cancer claim remains pending as the type of cancer (bladder or kidney) needs clarification.,Service connection for a prostate disorder, claimed as benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) with bladder outlet dysfunction, and kidney cancer are both remanded for further development.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for kidney cancer to ensure compliance with a regulatory duty under the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins Act of 2022 (PACT Act).

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, hepatic disease, hypertension, kidney disease, low testosterone, pulmonary embolism, sleep apnea, supraventricular tachycardia, and syncope to correct a duty to assist error in failing to obtain adequate VA examinations.

The appeal seeking an increased disability rating for kidney stones is remanded due to a jurisdictional defect in the notice of disagreement.

The Board denied service connection for a tonsil disorder, to include tonsillitis with tonsillectomy, as there was no current disability involving the tonsils. The claims for kidney disability, diabetes mellitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder were remanded for further development.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board dismissed the duplicative appeals for evaluation and service connection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with mycotic lung disease, to include emphysema; obstructive sleep apnea; posttraumatic stress disorder; chronic kidney disease; and tinnitus.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, high cholesterol, memory loss, anosmia, and vision disorder as his appeal was not timely filed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding service connection for cause of death and dependency and indemnity compensation under 38 USC 1151.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as a result of the PACT Act, effective August 10, 2022.,The Board finds that there is insufficient evidence to determine whether the Veteran had pre-existing left and right ankle disabilities or lower extremity neuropathy prior to service. The claims are remanded for further examination.

The Board has denied service connection for left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy and right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, finding no current diagnosis of these conditions. Service connection for renal insufficiency is remanded due to inadequate opinion regarding aggravation by service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's periods of active duty for training and inactive duty for training. The claim will be reconsidered after verifying these dates and obtaining associated service treatment records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities are being remanded due to the need to obtain her Reserve service records and provide TERA opinions regarding certain conditions.

Your appeal for service connection for kidney stones has been dismissed as the Veteran's attorney withdrew the appeal in October 2022.