Kidney disease decisions — 2024

The Veteran's kidney pain and/or left kidney lesion are remanded for a VA examination to determine if they are related to his military service, including exposure to burn pits.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received for the Veteran's claims of sinus bradycardia and sick sinus syndrome, hypertension, and kidney cancer. The case is being remanded to provide a VA examination and obtain medical opinions regarding these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal of the denial of service connection for chronic kidney disease was dismissed because his VA Form 10182 did not conform to the applicable rules and he filed it more than a year after the decision.

The Veteran's cause of death was not related to his military service, including any in-service dental work or ionizing radiation exposure. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a kidney disability, finding that there is no current disability and insufficient evidence to establish a link between his service and any potential disability.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received for the Veteran's claims of sinus bradycardia and sick sinus syndrome, hypertension, and kidney cancer. The case is being remanded to provide a VA examination and obtain medical opinions regarding these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic kidney disease and polycystic kidney disease, finding that there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and renal disorder to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities did not have their onset in service or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran is granted a 60 percent disability rating for hypertension with renal dysfunction from April 25, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation for his gunshot wound left thigh and hip was denied by the Board. The evidence did not show a severe muscle injury, which is required for a rating higher than 20 percent.,The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation for chronic kidney disease from August 2, 2011 to April 12, 2023 remains pending and requires further development.

The Veteran's service connection claim for kidney stones is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. Further records development, specifically inpatient hospitalization records from the U.S. Naval Hospital in Key West, Florida, are needed.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of hyperlipidemia, narcolepsy, chronic renal failure, and gastrointestinal disorder (claimed as intestinal malabsorption) due to a withdrawal by the Veteran. SMC based on need for aid and attendance was granted starting September 2, 2021.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and remanded the claims for hypertension, a kidney disorder, and an eye disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has resulted in a loss of sex drive, and the Board granted service connection for this condition. The Veteran also received an increased rating of 70 percent for his PTSD as of January 23, 2021.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the need for additional medical opinions and examinations, particularly regarding service connection for various conditions related to fuel exposure during active duty.

The reduction of the 100 percent rating for kidney cancer was proper, and the appeal for this issue is denied. The compensable rating for kidney cancer residuals and initial compensable disability rating for surgical scars are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating greater than 80 percent for renal failure was denied. Service connection for anemia was granted, and a TDIU from January 24, 2022, was granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder, OSA, diabetes mellitus type II, and kidney disorder. The appeals are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed. The Board found no evidence of these conditions in service or within one year post-service, and the Veteran did not provide sufficient medical evidence to establish a link between his current disabilities and service.,The Veteran was also denied an increased rating for duodenitis with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), as there is no evidence showing severe symptoms that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors and recent passage of the PACT Act. The appellant's service connection claims will be reconsidered in light of these issues.