Kidney disease decisions — 2024

The Veteran's disability rating for a nonspecific heterogeneous mass in the left renal foss is restored to 60 percent, effective June 2, 2017.

The Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected PTSD, which contributed to the development of end-stage renal disease and coronary artery disease. The Board granted service connection for the cause of death but denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 due to lack of continuous total disability rating.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as it is not a final decision and does not address the issues of entitlement to restoration of a 100 percent rating for kidney neoplasm with right kidney removal and renal carcinoma with bone metastasis, or entitlement to restoration of special monthly compensation.

Your appeal regarding chronic kidney disease has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal through his attorney.

The Veteran's kidney cancer is being remanded for further investigation into his service at Camp Lejeune, as the records are unclear on this point.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's cause of death on a direct basis due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam, and effective from June 1, 2005.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (DM) and chronic kidney disease have been granted. DM is presumed to be caused by herbicide agent exposure during service in Thailand. Chronic kidney disease is found to be secondary to DM.

The appeal regarding the effective dates for various service connection awards and benefits has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death before the appeal could be decided.

The appeal regarding the effective dates for various service connection awards and benefits has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death before the appeal could be decided.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic kidney disease is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition during or proximate to the appeal period.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to obtain a VA medical opinion regarding whether any of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed substantially or materially to his cause of death.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of June 27, 2019 for service connection for transmetatarsal amputation of the bilateral feet and SMC based on loss of use of the feet. The Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for aid and attendance is denied as it was not filed prior to February 18, 2019.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of June 27, 2019 for service connection for transmetatarsal amputation of the bilateral feet and SMC based on loss of use of the feet. The Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for aid and attendance is denied as it was not filed prior to February 18, 2019.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right kidney renal cyst, finding that there was no medical nexus between his current diagnosis and his in-service herbicide agent exposure or Camp Lejeune water exposure. The Board also noted that the Veteran's renal cyst is not cancerous, which precludes presumptive service connection under applicable regulations.

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected as his heart failure and other conditions were not shown to be related to his military service.,The Veteran did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cause of death due to obesity and his service-connected chondromalacia of left and right patella, finding that there was no medical evidence indicating that the Veteran's causes of death were caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The effective date of the grants was set at September 6, 2011.

The Board has already ruled on the earlier effective date for service connection of chronic kidney disease, and this appeal is dismissed as concurrent elections are prohibited.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error and will need to verify if the Veteran was exposed to chemicals while in service, as well as obtain an examination to determine if his kidney disease is related to any in-service injury or event.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral foot/nail fungus, bilateral foot pain condition as secondary to the nail fungus, hypertension, and chronic proteinuria (kidney problems) are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their service connection.,Specifically, the Board is requesting an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to address whether the Veteran's hypertension and kidney disability are at least as likely as not proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol disorder.