Kidney disease decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and examination, including service connection claims for various conditions. The Veteran's hearing loss claim is also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: the initial rating for prostate cancer with chronic kidney disease, and service connection for urinary tract infection secondary to prostate cancer. The Veteran needs further examinations to assess his current condition and determine if there is a separate disability or aggravation of existing conditions.

The appeal regarding the Veteran's entitlement to service connection for high blood pressure and bilateral foot pain is dismissed. The appeals regarding his prostate condition (including BPH) and kidney disease are remanded.

The Veteran's colon cancer and chronic renal disease with urosepsis and ureter stricture are granted as a result of exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange). The Veteran's chronic renal disease is also granted as secondary to his now service-connected colon cancer.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's cardiorespiratory failure, coronary artery disease, pulmonary hypertension, and end stage renal disease are related to service. The AOJ is instructed to obtain such an opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected nephrolithiasis (kidney stones) was granted an initial rating of 10 percent prior to March 26, 2013. The condition manifested in occasional attacks of colic without infection or requiring catheter drainage.

The Veteran's kidney conditions are remanded for further development and opinion regarding their relationship to service, including any in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected kidney cancer residuals and bilateral hearing loss prevent him from securing or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU from April 21, 2021. The Board has determined that referral to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration is required for the period prior to April 21, 2021.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for renal disease and hypertension as secondary to renal disease are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The PACT Act requires VA to provide a disability examination and medical nexus opinion when the evidence is not sufficient to establish service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the claims for chronic kidney disease and an increased rating for chronic epididymo-orchitis.

The Veteran's renal disability is rated at 60 percent, effective February 16, 2024. The Board granted a TDIU based on PTSD alone from the same date, and SMC at housebound rate due to combined disabilities meeting 60% rating threshold.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck condition as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected back and renal cell carcinoma status post (s/p) right half kidney disabilities, finding that the Veteran's neck condition was caused by his service-connected back disability and residual effects of required treatment for his service-connected renal cell carcinoma.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for renal cell carcinoma was denied as there were no prior informal or formal applications to reopen his previously denied kidney cancer claim before June 14, 2021. The earliest possible effective date is the date the reopened claim was received.

The Veteran's tinnitus, broken sternum condition, kidney disability, type 2 diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension have been granted service connection. However, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and hypertension were denied as they did not meet VA criteria for a current disability.

The Board has denied service connection for left shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic sensory motor neuropathy, renal calculus, erectile dysfunction, and right knee disability.,There is no evidence of a chronic or continuous condition since service separation.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 10 percent for kidney stones, but has remanded the claim of service connection for PTSD due to military sexual trauma (MST).

The Board has remanded the case due to inextricably intertwined claims for service connection, and will adjudicate these claims together. The psychiatric condition claim is being considered again as part of this process.

The Board has remanded the claims for hyperlipidemia, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, liver condition, kidney condition, renal toxicity, and anemia due to a lack of examination or opinion regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions. The Veteran's service at Camp Lejeune is also unclear.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's kidney cancer and hypertension are related to service, but additional development is needed to address whether these conditions were caused or aggravated by toxic exposures during his service in Southwest Asia.

The Board has granted secondary service connection for the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, finding that it is worsened by his service-connected stage III chronic renal disease with hypertension.