Kidney disease decisions — 2026

Service connection is granted for a skin disability, including chronic urticaria, cellulitis with dermatitis, and psoriasis.,Service connection is granted for a lumbar spine disability.,Service connection is granted for asthma.,Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection is denied for kidney stones.,Service connection is denied for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's lung condition, diagnosed as minimal obstructive lung defect, is denied service connection. The Board finds that the current diagnosis of plantar fasciitis for bilateral foot condition is secondary to a service-connected back disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a stomach condition and kidney stones due to inadequate VA opinions. The issues are being returned to the Board for further action.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and kidney cancer are granted service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange. The prostate condition is denied as not related to the claimed exposure.

The Board has remanded the appellant's claims for accrued benefits due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's cancers and his service-connected disabilities, specifically gastritis with hyperacidity and coronary artery disease. The VA is required to obtain medical opinions on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right kidney cancer, stomach cancer, and bone cancer.

The Veteran's right and left upper extremity nerve conditions, as well as their left hip disability, are granted secondary to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's OSA is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death due to ESRD, which was found to be related to exposure to toxic substances during military service.

The Veteran's cause of death, including pneumonia and COPD, is being remanded to determine if it was due to exposure to jet fuel during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection of kidney cancer and liver cancer, finding that no formal or informal claims were filed prior to February 12, 2025.

The Veteran's claims for kidney disability and right ear hearing loss were denied. The Board also found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of these conditions, with no persuasive evidence to support his assertions.

The Veteran's cause of death, renal cell carcinoma, is not service-connected as there is no evidence linking the cancer to his military service.

The Board has found it unclear whether the Veteran was exposed to chemicals, biological agents, and herbicides while stationed at Dugway Proving Ground and White Sands Missile Range. The case is being remanded for further development of this exposure information.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for kidney disability, respiratory disability (claimed as allergies), diabetes mellitus, and erectile dysfunction due to duty-to-assist errors. The claims are being returned to VA for further action.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic kidney disease as secondary to her service-connected hypertension, finding that there is a nexus between the two conditions and resolving any doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's kidney disorder, including chronic kidney disease and other conditions, is related to his service in Korea. The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination and opinion regarding the nature of the Veteran's current kidney disorders and their relationship to toxic exposure during service.

The Veteran's kidney stones are granted service connection and rated at 50%. The initial rating for his migraine headaches is also granted, with a 50% rating. Service connection for TBI remains remanded.

The Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia is granted service connection due to herbicide exposure during active duty. Service connection for a kidney disability is denied as there is no evidence of current diagnosis.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and the Board found insufficient evidence to establish a connection between his conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for tuberculosis, heart disability (claimed as open-heart surgery), kidney failure, and a disability manifested by pain and numbness in the bilateral upper extremities due to presumed exposure to contaminants at Camp Lejeune. The VA is required to obtain additional medical opinions addressing the relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and medical opinions.