Kidney disease decisions — 2024

The Veteran's chronic kidney disease is granted as secondary to medication for service-connected conditions. The neck and shoulder disabilities are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, and will obtain a VA medical opinion to determine the nature and etiology of the currently diagnosed chronic kidney disability.

The Board has found that the Veteran's thoracic artery calcification claim is denied due to a prohibition against service connection for disabilities resulting from tobacco use during service. The esophageal disability, kidney disability, and lumbar spine disability claims are remanded as there were duty-to-assist errors in obtaining VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic kidney disease and cause of death are remanded due to procedural errors, lack of nexus opinions, and the need for additional medical records and an opinion regarding exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's hypertension was denied a compensable rating for the period prior to August 2, 2021. From August 2, 2021, an increased rating of 10 percent but no higher was granted.,Chronic kidney disease did not meet criteria for any specific rating level as it has not resulted in a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) score of 59 mL/min/1.73 m² or lower, required regular dialysis, or made the Veteran an eligible candidate for transplant.

The Board has remanded the claims for prostate cancer, chronic kidney disease stage 2, and kidney cancer due to duty to assist errors. The AOJ is required to obtain adequate VA medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding his claimed additional disabilities resulting from VA treatment in June/July 2014.

The Board has granted an effective date of December 1, 2011 for the award of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. This decision is based on the fact that the claim for service connection for hypertension was pending and inextricably intertwined with the issue of service connection for the cause of death.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his service-connected residuals of a compression fracture of the T-12 spinal segment did not contribute to or accelerate his death from colon cancer with metastases, renal failure, and cerebral vascular disease.

The Veteran's kidney disability was first diagnosed during active duty, and the Board found that it was not clearly and unmistakably shown to have existed before service. The Board granted service connection for the kidney disability.

The Veteran's lung cancer claim is denied as there is no confirmed diagnosis of lung cancer in the record.,The Veteran's thyroid condition remains at a noncompensable rating, with an effective date changed to August 10, 2022 due to presumptive exposure.,The Veteran's neck scar from thyroid adrenalectomy continues to be rated at 30 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in fulfilling its duty to assist, particularly regarding exposure to ionizing radiation and TCE. The Veteran's kidney cancer is being reviewed again with a focus on obtaining more comprehensive medical opinions.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and remanded the issue of service connection for renal cancer and associated residuals. The Veteran's hypertension claim is denied, while his renal cancer claim is pending with a need for additional medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for renal cell carcinoma and partial nephrectomy scar have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the appeal process.

The Board denied service connection for renal cell carcinoma, finding that the evidence does not support a link between the condition and the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's kidney cancer, colon removal, asthma, and low back condition claims are remanded due to the need for additional development regarding exposure to herbicides, contaminated soil, and radiation. A VA examination is required to address these issues.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and chronic kidney disease and in-service asbestos exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his exposure to carbon tetrachloride and ionizing radiation during service. Additional development is needed, including obtaining medical opinions on whether these exposures caused or contributed to the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for benign prostatic hyperplasia, Parkinson's disease, a urinary condition, hypertension, leukopenia, bilateral foot calluses, and kidney disease due to incomplete information provided by the Appellant regarding the Veteran's specific unit during his service.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to August 10, 2022, for the award of service connection for kidney cancer was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.