Kidney disease decisions — 2024

The Veteran's application for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was denied. The claims for service connection for bilateral fingers crush injury residuals, thoracolumbar spine disorder, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, kidney disease, urinary incontinence, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were all denied. Service connection for hypertension was granted based on the PACT Act.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's kidney disability, specifically whether it is proximately due or aggravated by service-connected gastritis and/or heart disability. The VA must consider all theories of service connection raised by the Veteran.

The petition to reopen the claim for service connection for renal cell carcinoma was denied.,Service connection for OSA as secondary to PTSD is granted. The Veteran's PTSD rating from April 12, 2016, is increased to 100% effective January 16, 2020.

The Veteran's treatment at JTDMH for a kidney stone was not preauthorized by VA, and the Board denied payment or reimbursement because it was not an emergency.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension under the PACT Act and for renal cell carcinoma as secondary to service-connected hypertension. The Veteran's death was due to renal cell carcinoma, which is considered a risk factor for hypertension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, kidney disease, heart disease, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to inadequate efforts in scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for kidney disorder, lung disability, and a chronic cough due to exposure to burn pits during active military service. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and likely etiology of these conditions, including whether they are related to toxic exposure risk activities (TERA).

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted.,Further evaluations or determinations are needed on the issues of low back disability, Meniere's disease, sleep apnea, and kidney disability.

The Board has granted service connection for salivary gland cancer, kidney cancer, and prostate cancer, finding that the Veteran's exposure to hazardous chemicals during his military service is related to these conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an increased rating for diverticulosis with colon polyps. The claims of service connection for lumbar spine arthritis, right knee disability, kidney condition, and respiratory condition (emphysema, chronic bronchitis, sinusitis) were all reopened due to new and material evidence. Service connection was granted for the respiratory condition under the PACT Act.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination. The Veteran's kidney disability is being reviewed, along with any potential secondary service connection for hypertension and/or diabetes.

The Board has denied the service connection claims for right kidney cancer, bone cancer, and stomach cancer due to insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service or any presumptive exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was granted, with some issues receiving higher ratings and others remaining at the current levels.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and kidney disability due to exposure to herbicide agents during military service in Vietnam and Thailand.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obesity, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type II, contributed to his cause of death. The decision grants service connection for the cause of death due to secondary aggravation by these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a left kidney disability and remanded the issues of sleep disturbances, right nephrectomy rating, and TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including those related to glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency and sickle cell trait, are denied as there is no current diagnosis of a respiratory condition. The claim for service connection for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency is also denied due to its congenital nature.

The Veteran's IBS is granted with a maximum 30 percent rating. The Board has determined that further examinations are needed for her kidney and bladder issues, right toe disability, right shoulder condition, vertigo, gastrointestinal disorder (including GERD), and fatigue.

The Veteran's kidney disorder claim is denied as there is no current disability.,For the period from April 14, 2016 to April 14, 2023, the service-connected hypertension was rated at 50 percent. From April 14, 2023 onwards, it was rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's hypertension claim is denied as there is no evidence of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more, or a minimum evaluation for an individual with a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more who requires continuous medication for control.,The Veteran's heart disorder claim is remanded as the VA examiner needs to provide opinions on service connection and aggravation.

The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise, and thus granted service connection for kidney stones on the basis of new and material evidence.