Kidney disease decisions — 2024

The Veteran's bone cancer, back disability, and kidney disability were not caused by or became worse as a result of VA treatment.,VA medical personnel did not cause the Veteran's additional disabilities.

The Veteran's chronic kidney disease, stage II with hypertension was denied ratings higher than the current assigned ratings prior to April 21, 2021 and from April 21, 2021 onwards.

The Veteran's cause of death was determined to be end stage renal disease, which the VA examiner attributed to hypertension. The Board found that there is sufficient evidence to grant service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred on September 24, 2020, and October 8, 2020, by Flat River Family Dentistry due to lack of prior authorization from VA and the absence of a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for Parkinson's disease, urinary incontinence, a bladder condition (neurogenic bladder), kidney disease, seborrheic dermatitis, hyperlipidemia, encephalopathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD to the AOJ for further adjudication on their merits.

The Board has determined that the VA examination and opinion regarding service connection for kidney cancer are inadequate due to a lack of TERA exposure assessment. The case is being remanded to obtain such an assessment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further examination and consideration of potential environmental exposures under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's kidney condition is granted service connection and an effective date of March 5, 2020. The claims for bilateral pes planus, right foot hammer toes, and left foot hammer toes are also granted with the same effective date.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for ischemic heart disease is denied. The Veteran's residuals of bladder cancer with chronic kidney disease and urinary incontinence are rated at 60 percent, which is the maximum allowed under current criteria. The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability remains at 20 percent. A TDIU from September 8, 2021 is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for liver transplant, kidney transplant, and GBS due to exposure to asbestos, AFFF, and smoke from fires during service. The AOJ is required to complete further development regarding in-service exposures and provide a fully adequate medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic kidney disease and hypertension due to potential exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran's kidney disability is found to be secondary to his hypertension, which may be related to toxic risk activity exposures (TERAs), including Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's kidney disability is granted on a direct basis due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability does not meet the criteria for TDIU prior to September 30, 2013.

The appeals for increased disability rating and service connection have been dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic kidney disease and multiple neuropathies, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since June 27, 2023.

The Board has vacated its August 2024 decision and dismissed the appeals on ten issues due to procedural errors, including incorrect substitution of the appellant as a valid claimant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's renal cell carcinoma may be related to service, and development is needed to determine if it is also related to a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA). The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings for left kidney cancer and scar, anterior trunk are remanded due to a lack of VA examination.

The Board has determined that the VA examination opinion is inadequate and remands the case for a new examination to determine if the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II caused or aggravated his kidney condition.

The Board has denied an increased rating for prostate cancer residuals, finding that the Veteran's voiding dysfunction does not require an appliance or absorbent materials changed more than four times per day.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, and will need to obtain a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's left kidney cancer is related to service, including presumed exposure to herbicide agents.