Kidney disease decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claims for service connection for prostate disability, diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, kidney disability, and heart disability to correct a duty to assist error related to verifying in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board granted the reopening of claims for service connection for pituitary macroadenoma with bradycardia and adrenal insufficiency, but dismissed the claim for a nervous condition with short term memory loss.

The Board granted service connection for kidney disease, to include residuals of kidney cancer, and a mental health disorder, claimed as anxiety and depression, secondary to the kidney disability.

The Board denied a higher disability rating for coronary artery disease with stable angina and remanded the claim for service connection for left renal mass.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, diagnosed spinal stenosis, arthrodesis status lumbar fusion. The other claims were remanded for further development.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis also claimed as throat pain and a kidney condition due to inadequate development of evidence.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy, renal disease (chronic kidney disease), and sleep apnea as there is no evidence of a current disability or that these conditions are related to the Veteran's service or any service-connected disability.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for metastatic renal cell carcinoma, hypertension, congestive heart failure, and chronic headaches to afford the Veteran an additional opportunity to attend VA examinations.

The Board granted service connection for residuals of testicular cancer and right upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy under the PACT Act, but remanded other issues related to these conditions as well as claims for rhinosinusitis, chronic kidney disease, and hypertension.

The Board granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the intermediate rate between the (m) and (n) rates based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss but remanded four claims (asthma, kidney condition, bilateral foot condition, and acquired psychiatric condition) to obtain VA examinations and medical opinions. The denial of hearing loss was based on insufficient evidence of nexus between current disability and military service despite conceded in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for all service connection and increased rating claims.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to service connection for colon cancer and kidney cancer due to an inadequate credibility determination and a failure to adequately address the Veteran's duties and responsibilities while stationed in Puerto Rico.

The appeal for the rating reduction of PTSD and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was dismissed due to withdrawal. The claims for service connection for a benign renal cyst and thrombosis, TIA or cerebral infarction were remanded for further evidence.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for service connection for kidney cancer, hypertension secondary to kidney cancer, and scars secondary to kidney cancer due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's kidney cancer.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for kidney and lung disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including sinusitis, rhinitis, chronic diarrhea, numbness of the left leg and arm, cervical spine disorder, GERD, ureterolithiasis, chest pains and heart palpitations, and lower back pain, as the VA examinations are inadequate.

The Board denied service connection for kidney cancer, finding that the evidence does not support a link between the Veteran's kidney cancer and his military service, including any exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic kidney disease and skin cancer was dismissed, while his claim for a rating of 100 percent for PTSD was granted. The initial rating for diabetes mellitus in excess of 20 percent was denied.