Kidney disease decisions — 2024

The Veteran's rhinitis has been granted service connection, but a compensable rating is denied.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension has been granted. The Veteran's strain of the herpes virus claim remains pending.

The Board has dismissed the issues of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, a kidney condition, sinus bradycardia, a skin rash, a bladder disability, and an enlarged prostate as the Veteran did not timely file a VA Form 10182 with respect to the July 2019 and March 2021 rating decisions.

The Veteran's kidney conditions are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection and toxic exposure claims.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bladder cancer and chronic kidney disease, considering his in-service exposures.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is not service-connected and does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.,The Veteran's chronic renal disease has not progressed to require dialysis, and thus cannot be rated at higher than 60 percent. The evidence shows that his GFR remains within normal limits.,PTSD was initially granted in September 2013 with a 30% rating. In the August 2020 decision, the Veteran's PTSD rating was increased to 50%, effective April 28, 2020.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with hyperlipidemia is rated at 20% and denied an increased rating.,The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10% and denied an increased rating.,The Veteran's chronic renal disease (claimed as kidney failure) does not meet the criteria for an earlier effective date prior to July 26, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for residuals of kidney cancer and thyroid cancer, both linked to exposure to herbicide agents during service. The remand includes seeking an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of these conditions in light of the National Academies of Sciences (NAS) report on Veterans and Agent Orange Updates. Additionally, a TERA-specific opinion is required under the PACT Act for each claimed disability.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for nephrosclerosis, residuals of kidney failure was denied. The appeals for increased ratings for status post left and right hallux valgus deformity with associated bunions were remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and kidney disability due to inadequate examinations and medical opinions. The claims are being returned for further development, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and providing addendum opinions regarding causation and aggravation by service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, type 2 diabetes, and kidney disease have been granted with effective dates of April 23, 2018. The effective date for the award of service connection is based on the PACT Act presumption of herbicide exposure in Thailand.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for renal failure, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD claim is remanded for a new examination to assess current severity and functional impact. His stomach and kidney conditions are also remanded for examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his assertions of exposure to environmental toxins and injuries during military service. The cases are now pending before a VA examiner for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to December 6, 2017 is being remanded due to the possibility that he may be unemployable by reason of his service-connected disabilities. The case will now be referred to the Director, Compensation Service, for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claim for a left ankle disability is denied.,The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and obstructive sleep apnea claims are reopened, but denied on the merits.,The Veteran's eye disability (bilateral) claim is reopened, but denied on the merits.,The Veteran's lung disability (bronchitis), colon disability (ulcerative colitis), erectile dysfunction and/or vasectomy, kidney stones, and hypertension claims are remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for kidney stones and bladder infections, finding no current disability in the Veteran's records. The claims were based on presumed exposure to herbicides during service in Thailand.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for blindness in both eyes, type II diabetes mellitus (DMII), renal insufficiency, and hypertension due to new evidence received since the last SSOC.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete development regarding his exposure to herbicide agents and insufficient medical opinions addressing his heart conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his military service and his death from respiratory failure, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and chronic kidney disease. The Board noted that the Veteran did not serve in an area where herbicide agent exposure is presumed and that he never sought service connection for any of these conditions prior to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for cystic kidney disease with nephrolithiasis, chronic renal disease, and hematoma of kidney status post partial nephrectomy. The decision is based on the Veteran's exposure to chemicals during his time as a denture technician in the Army.