Kidney disease decisions — 2025

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for various conditions as they were duplicative of other appeals.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for renal failure, finding insufficient evidence to support a direct link between the condition and his military service.

The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and renal failure due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during the Veteran's service in Thailand. The claims for hearing loss, skin rashes, hepatitis C, and TDIU were remanded.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for kidney cancer and residuals, including removal of right kidney and kidney disease, to obtain a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's condition.

The Board granted service connection for renal cell carcinoma, finding that the Veteran's condition is presumed to be related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents due to his deployment near the Korean DMZ.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including prostate disability (BPH), nummular eczema, nephrolithiasis, neuropathy in both upper and lower extremities, and pseudophakia as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II, due to a lack of evidence supporting a causal relationship between the disabilities and the Veteran's active service, including herbicide agent exposure.

The Board granted service connection for chronic kidney disease as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension. The left and right knee claims were remanded for further development.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for diabetes, congestive heart failure, renal failure, amputation of right toe, and amputation of right leg to obtain outstanding private treatment records.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for adenoma/adrenal gland disorder to ensure a VA examination is conducted, as there is evidence of a possible benign adrenal adenoma and an indication that it may be related to service or contaminants at Camp Lejeune.

The Board is remanding the claim for an initial rating greater than 30 percent for kidney cancer to obtain additional information regarding the residuals of the Veteran's kidney cancer, including any voiding dysfunction.

The Board granted service connection for kidney stones, finding that the Veteran's symptoms became manifest within one year of her separation from active duty.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a left shoulder condition, kidney stones, and scars on the scalp and head due to outstanding records and an inadequate medical opinion.

The Board granted service connection for kidney cancer, finding that the evidence supports a link between the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during the Vietnam War and his current kidney cancer.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension under the PACT Act, a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to November 29, 2021, and an earlier effective date for DEA benefits prior to November 29, 2021.

The Board granted service connection for thymoma, pheochromocytoma, ED, and scars status post thymectomy and adrenalectomy from June 8, 2018, but no earlier. Service connection for neurogenic bladder was also granted.

The Board granted service connection for HIV and kidney disease, finding that the Veteran's HIV was incurred during active service and that his kidney disease is caused by or a result of his service-connected HIV.

The Board granted service connection for chronic kidney disease as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension, finding that the evidence supports a link between the two conditions.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for a kidney disability, to include associated SMC.

The Board denied service connection for erectile dysfunction with hypogonadism, hypertension, and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence of current disability or functional impairment. The claims for these conditions were remanded for further development.