Kidney disease decisions — 2024

Service connection is granted for bilateral upper and lower peripheral neuropathy, peritoneal adhesions, and chronic kidney disease stage 2. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral inguinal hernia, hiatal hernia, and small bowel resection are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development and examination, including investigating his allegations of compelled in-service NSAID use and seeking medical care.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and therefore he did not meet the criteria for non-service-connected burial benefits. The claims were denied as there was no evidence of a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty at the time of discharge.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional evidence, including medical records from private providers and former employers.

The Board denied payment or reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Baptist Memorial Hospital from April 13, 2006 to April 21, 2006 due to lack of prior authorization and failure to meet the criteria for emergency treatment. Payment was granted for services on April 12, 2006.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery bypass grafting with atrial fibrillation and chronic kidney disease, hypertension, low back strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral hearing loss have been granted ratings. The highest possible rating of 100 percent has been assigned for the Veteran's coronary artery bypass grafting with atrial fibrillation and chronic kidney disease due to constant albuminuria with some edema; or definite decrease in kidney function; or hypertension at least 40 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 7101. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for hypertension. The Veteran's low back strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been rated as 40 percent each, but not higher, based on limitation of motion under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine (General Rating Formula). Bilateral hearing loss has also been granted a separate rating of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hepatitis C and chronic liver disease with kidney failure due to inadequate opinions from the December 2022 VA examiner. The AOJ is instructed to clarify what the Veteran is currently service connected for, and obtain an updated opinion regarding the relationship between his conditions and service.

The Board has granted service connection for arterial disease, including renal artery stenosis and kidney stent, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not incurred in service.

The Veteran's service-connected kidney stones and De Quervain's tenosynovitis of the right hand do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's kidney disorder is related to his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents. The case will be reviewed again with a focus on determining if there is clear and unmistakable evidence that the condition pre-existed service or was aggravated by it.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for metastatic renal cell carcinoma, bilateral foot fungus, and bilateral hearing loss due to issues with the VA examinations provided. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has dismissed the issues of seborrheic dermatitis and infertility due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board has determined that further development is needed to verify potential exposure to environmental toxins at Fort McClellan, including PCBs, TCE, asbestos, radioactive compounds, chemical warfare agents, or other toxic substances.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for renal disease, psychiatric disability (including depression), and hypertension due to insufficient evidence regarding their service connection. The Veteran's death prevented a VA examination from being conducted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of diabetes mellitus, headaches, hypertension, kidney stones, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and right elbow condition. The Veteran's service connection claims are remanded to allow for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran seeks compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for kidney injury, alleging that VA care led to the retention of a wire fragment in his left kidney, causing additional disability. The Board has ordered remand due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further examination.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding service connection for a headache disability as it was already granted by the AOJ. The appeals for kidney cancer, melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, skin rash condition (itchy skin), and hypertension were denied due to lack of evidence showing these conditions began during or are otherwise related to active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and fibromyalgia have been denied. The Veteran has been granted a 50% rating for migraine headaches, effective August 1, 2014, with no higher ratings allowed.

The Board has remanded the cases of hypertension and chronic kidney disease for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is aggravated by his service-connected asbestosis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for blood in urine, blood in stool, kidney stones, and gallstones due to inadequate medical opinions from previous examiners. The claims are now pending again.