Kidney disease decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and kidney stones were granted. The rating for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was denied, as well as the claim for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction associated with diabetes mellitus. Service connection for hypothyroidism was granted based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam.,The Veteran's sleep apnea and kidney stones are presumed to be related to his service due to his service in the Republic of Vietnam, while peripheral neuropathy and erectile dysfunction were not found to be directly related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examinations and requests for TERA examination. The Veteran's bilateral shoulder condition, bilateral knee condition, and kidney infection are not related to his active service or toxic exposure.

An effective date of October 5, 2014, but not earlier, for the grant of service connection for renal cell carcinoma as due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune is granted.,An effective date of April 17, 2006, but not earlier, for the award of SMC on account of loss of use of a creative organ is granted.,An effective date of October 5, 2014, but not earlier, for the grant of service connection for left lung cancer as secondary to renal cell carcinoma is granted.,An effective date of October 5, 2014, but not earlier, for the award of SMC based on the housebound rate is granted.,The initial rating higher than 60 percent for renal cell carcinoma status post right nephrectomy is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus type II and its associated complications, were granted. The cervical spine disability, bilateral shoulder disabilities, arthritis of the upper and lower extremities, ankle disabilities, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking his causes of death to in-service exposure to herbicide agents or asbestos.

The Veteran's anaplastic large cell lymphoma is granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The kidney condition issue remains pending as the Board found insufficient evidence for a direct service connection.

Service connection for malaria is denied. The Veteran's claim has been reopened, but service connection cannot be established as there was no evidence of a current disability during or within one year after service.,Service connection for chronic kidney disease is granted. The Veteran's current diagnosis is linked to herbicide agent exposure during service.,Service connection for the heart disability (atherosclerosis of the aorta) is granted. The Veteran has a current diagnosis and there is evidence linking it to herbicide agent exposure.,Service connection for hyperlipidemia is denied. There is no disease or disability listed under VA regulations that corresponds with this condition.,Service connection for asbestosis is denied. There is no evidence of asbestos exposure during service, and the Veteran's claim cannot be granted based on presumptive service connection.,Service connection for chronic constipation (IBS) is denied. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis or sufficient evidence linking it to service.,Service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is denied. There is no evidence of GERD during service and the condition cannot be linked to herbicide agent exposure.,Service connection for cataract of the left eye is denied. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis or sufficient evidence linking it to service.,Service connection for myasthenia gravis and double vision is granted. There is a current diagnosis and evidence linking it to herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic kidney disease and diabetes mellitus, type II. The Veteran's current disabilities are linked to his in-service conditions.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, left eye blepharitis, and kidney stones were denied service connection due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between the conditions and service.,The Veteran failed to attend multiple scheduled VA examinations without providing good cause.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's renal cancer, specifically whether it is related to service-connected conditions or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding a possible link between the Veteran's kidney disorder and his service-connected herbicide exposure. A VA examination is required, including one related to TERA exposures under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's initial claim of an increased rating for endometriosis was granted, but her request for a higher rating is denied. The Board also found that the Veteran does not have service connection for bilateral foot condition or kidney disease.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining medical records from various providers and facilities. The Veteran's disabilities on appeal include eye disability, hearing loss, tinnitus, kidney disorder, skin disorder, psychiatric disorder, foot disability, and heart disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for kidney stones and a left leg condition, with the latter issue being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that additional medical records are needed to fully evaluate the Veteran's claims, including for his respiratory disability, GERD, lipoma, allergic rhinitis, erectile dysfunction, kidney disease, dizziness, and low back condition. The examination is also necessary to address the impact of toxic exposure risk activities (TERAs) on these conditions.

The Board has granted presumptive service connection for hypertension due to exposure to herbicide agents under the PACT Act. Service connection for chronic kidney disease is also granted as secondary to now service-connected hypertension. The right knee disability, diverticulitis, and Barrett's esophagus are all remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various diabetes-related conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination for erectile dysfunction.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for chronic kidney stones as secondary to a service-connected disability, including PTSD or stress associated with PTSD, or hypertension. The evidence does not support a finding that these kidney stones are related to any service-connected condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left kidney tumor, finding that there was no causal link between his in-service exposure to weed killer and his current condition.

The Veteran is granted a disability evaluation of 20 percent for symptoms following resection of the large intestine from May 26, 2011 to August 18, 2022.,For the period after August 18, 2022, the Veteran's symptoms are rated at 40 percent.