Kidney disease decisions — 2026

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a kidney condition, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current kidney condition and his military service.

The Veteran is entitled to an effective date of May 7, 2020 for the award of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the regular need for aid and attendance due to his kidney cancer.

The Veteran's kidney disability (cystic kidney disease, clear cell renal cell carcinoma) was granted service connection effective October 30, 2021, as his intent to file a claim for this condition was received within a year of the formal claim.

The Veteran's chronic kidney disease, prostate cancer, and overactive bladder disability are all found to be related to his exposure at Camp Lejeune. The claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's effective dates for prostate cancer and type 2 diabetes have been granted from April 6, 2022.,The Veteran's prostate cancer increased rating issue and entitlement to TDIU are pending on remand.

Effective August 26, 2023, the Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation at the rate intermediate between 38 U.S.C. 1114(m) and 38 U.S.C. 1114(n) (M12) is granted, subject to law and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits. Additionally, a 30 percent rating for service-connected migraines is granted effective August 26, 2023.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for acute kidney failure and lumbar degenerative disc disease, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to service and the claim for service connection has been granted. The claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, CAD, GERD, kidney disease, sarcoidosis, and OSA are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's depression, which is secondary to his service-connected kidney disease.

The Veteran's claims for skin cancer, GERD, kidney dysfunction, peripheral artery disease, and heart disorder have been granted. The effective dates are not specified as the decision is remanded.

The Veteran's cause of death was hemorrhagic shock with multiorgan failure and acute gastrointestinal bleed, which the Board found not related to his military service or exposure to toxic chemicals. The claim for service connection for cause of death is denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's renal cancer and surgical scar are not service-connected. The case is being remanded for further evaluation of the Veteran's hypertension.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, kidney disease secondary to Hepatitis C, and PTSD are granted. Service connection for a gunshot/flare wound of the right leg is denied. A 60 percent rating for Hepatitis C is granted.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for gout has been granted, and his kidney disease claim remains denied. The rating assigned is 60% effective October 4, 2021.

The Veteran withdrew all service connection claims for various conditions, including arthritis of the lower extremities, cervical spine disability, low back disability, bilateral eye disability, heart disability, hypertension, kidney disability, insomnia, and psychiatric disability. The Board dismissed these appeals as a result.

The Board has restored service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and granted service connection for various peripheral neuropathies and a heart disability, all related to the Veteran's exposure to contaminated C-123 aircraft during his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for skin, bladder, esophageal, and kidney disabilities. The Veteran's claim will be returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further action.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The case is remanded for a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's fatal renal cancer, including whether it was caused by exposure to Agent Orange or secondary to his service-connected prostate cancer.

The Veteran's kidney cancer is presumed to be due to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The blood clots in the lungs are found to have been caused or aggravated by his service-connected kidney cancer.,Hypertension was first diagnosed during active duty and is considered a current disability.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae with scarring prior to February 7, 2025 is denied. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, kidney failure and urinary frequency, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, obstructive sleep apnea, and vertigo are all denied. There is no credible evidence linking these conditions to service or any presumptive exposure basis.