Kidney disease decisions — 2024

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection as a result of in-service herbicide exposure. The issues regarding peripheral vascular disease, leg amputations, and renal disease are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, and chronic renal disease have been reopened. Service connection has been granted for PTSD with an initial rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis of the neck and left elbow, liver disease, and renal disease are all granted as secondary to his service-connected psoriasis.

The Board has determined that the VA opinions are not fully adequate and requires an addendum opinion to determine if the Veteran's kidney disease was caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and/or hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected TBI, bilateral knees, left metatarsal avulsion residuals, left wrist condition, and migraines are being remanded for further evaluation due to the potential worsening of these conditions.,The Veteran's rib/sternum condition, left ankle condition, bilateral shoulder conditions, insomnia, and kidney condition (claimed as rhabdomyolysis) are also being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's motion to revise the July 2010 Board decision denying service connection for a kidney disorder on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) is denied. The correct facts were known at the time, and no errors in applying statutory or regulatory provisions are found.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.,Specifically, the Veteran is seeking service connection for various disabilities including a bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral ankle disability, eye condition, hearing loss, dizziness or fainting spells, fatigue, respiratory disorder, and left kidney disability.

The Board has found that the Veteran did not have a current right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore denied his claim. The issues of service connection for tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, type II, and kidney disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's kidney cancer is found to be related to service exposure, specifically to toxic substances like TCE and diesel fuel. Service connection for kidney cancer is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for kidney disability, renal cysts and toxicity to include as due to exposure at Camp Lejeune have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for increased rating of tinnitus has not resulted in a higher rating than the current 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for kidney, liver, and pituitary gland disabilities due to inadequate opinions regarding the relationship of these conditions to herbicide exposure in service. The VA examiner's opinion is found to be insufficient.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, renal cell carcinoma with glomerulosclerosis status post kidney transplant, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension. Additional development is needed including obtaining VA treatment records, private medical records, and verifying service in National Guard and Reserve components.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for adrenal gland cancer and breast cancer have been granted, but the appeal for service connection for endometriosis has not been decided.,New evidence supports a reopening of claims for service connection for adrenal gland cancer and breast cancer. The Board found that exposure to toxic chemicals in service is at least as likely as not related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, metastatic renal cell cancer and related conditions, is service-connected due to exposure to herbicide agents during his military service in Vietnam.

The Board granted service connection for major depressive disorder including sleep disturbances secondary to the Veteran's service-connected kidney cancer, finding that his depression was proximately due to his kidney disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic kidney disease is related to his service exposure to heavy metals, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's prostate/bladder cancer and renal/kidney cancer, including the removal of his left kidney, are granted service connection due to herbicide exposure. The TDIU claim is also remanded for further action.

The Veteran's dental condition, claimed as extracted teeth, is denied due to lack of evidence showing a current disability for VA compensation purposes.,Service connection for the right shoulder disability is denied because there is no direct service connection and the Veteran's current disability is less likely related to his in-service injury. The examiner noted that the current shoulder disability is more likely related to time and age rather than the in-service injury.,The Veteran's right arm disability is not supported by evidence of a current disability for VA compensation purposes.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded as there is no direct service connection established.,Service connection for a kidney disability, claimed as a 'hump' on the kidney, is remanded due to lack of evidence supporting its relationship with in-service events or diseases.,Service connection for polycythemia is remanded because it has not been shown to be related to an already service-connected condition (hemorrhoids and hiatal hernia) or a pre-existing condition aggravated by the service-connected conditions.,An initial rating in excess of 20 percent for right knee DJD with limitation of flexion from November 29, 2018 is remanded due to lack of evidence supporting an increased disability level.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee DJD with limitation of flexion prior to November 29, 2018 is remanded due to lack of evidence supporting an increased disability level.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee DJD with lateral instability prior to November 29, 2018 is remanded due to lack of evidence supporting an increased disability level.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee DJD is remanded due to lack of evidence supporting an increased disability level.,An initial rating in excess of 30 percent for hiatal hernia with GERD prior to November 29, 2011 is remanded due to lack of evidence supporting an increased disability level.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for hiatal hernia with GERD from November 29, 2011 to February 4, 2020 is remanded due to lack of evidence supporting an increased disability level.,An initial rating in excess of 60 percent for hiatal hernia with GERD since February 4, 2020 is remanded due to lack of evidence supporting an increased disability level.,Total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to service connected disability (TDIU) is remanded as there is no direct service connection established.

The Veteran's spouse was added as a dependent on his VA disability award effective June 21, 2017. The claim for an earlier effective date is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has denied all individual issues of service connection. The appeals are not granted.