Kidney disease decisions — 2024

The Veteran's renal disorder is granted secondary service connection as it is proximately due to his service-connected diabetes. The rating for diabetes with erectile dysfunction remains at 20 percent, and the effective date for TDIU based solely on PTSD with MDD is set at April 4, 2013.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and Stage 3 renal failure have not been rated higher than the current levels, with the Board finding that additional evidence is needed to determine if these conditions warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as nervous condition) has been granted. Service connection for chronic sinusitis is also granted, but the Veteran's prostate cancer and chronic kidney disease claims remain denied.

The Veteran's disability ratings for lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease and disc displacement, left knee strain with medial meniscal tear status post meniscectomy, and nephrolithiasis (kidney stones) were restored to their previous levels.

New evidence has been received that supports the Veteran's claim for service connection of colorectal cancer.,New evidence has been received that supports the Veteran's claim for service connection of right lung nodules and COPD.,New evidence has been received that supports the Veteran's claim for service connection of hypertension.,New evidence has been received that supports the Veteran's claim for service connection of loss of teeth secondary to colorectal cancer.,New evidence has been received that supports the Veteran's claim for service connection of a kidney condition.,New and relevant evidence has been received that supports the reopening of the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, depression, mood swings, panic attacks, anger issues, and nightmares.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee condition, right hand condition (trigger finger surgery), nodular hyperplasia of the adrenal glands, and low back condition due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and the service-connected disabilities did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's HIV and kidney disease claims are remanded due to missing private treatment records from Dr. Q.R. and AbsoluteCare, as well as service records from his basic training period.

The Veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for a kidney condition, including as due to Camp Lejeune exposure, is being remanded for further examination and consideration under the PACT Act.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic kidney stones, unspecified anxiety disorder, and PTSD due to a lack of VA examination and incomplete medical records. The Veteran is presumed exposed to toxic substances during his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's kidney disease and its relation to service, specifically his in-service vehicle accident. The Veteran is seeking service connection for chronic kidney disease.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, kidney disease, trigeminal neuralgia pain, an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), right lower peripheral neuropathy, left lower peripheral neuropathy, right peripheral vascular disease, left peripheral vascular disease, diabetes mellitus, heart condition, and hypertension are being remanded due to the Veteran missing his VA examinations.,The Board finds that the Veteran presented good cause for having missed his appointments and therefore, the claims must be remanded to afford the Veteran adequate examinations and medical opinions regarding these disabilities.

The Board has determined that there are pre-decisional duty to assist omissions and the case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's chronic kidney disease, diagnosed as renal artery stenosis, is granted service connection based on exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to a pre-decisional duty to assist omission regarding the Veteran's theory of exposure to ionizing radiation in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and consideration of relevant evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a temporary total evaluation based on convalescence following surgery and a higher rating for his service-connected hydronephrosis with left nephrectomy. The evidence did not meet the criteria for either claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from October 14, 2015, to August 6, 2019. The Board granted TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected conditions and their impact on his ability to work.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, kidney cancer, and removal of the right kidney due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or any presumptive exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to duty-to-assist errors and the need for additional medical opinions regarding exposure to burn pits, asbestos, and herbicide agents.