Kidney disease decisions — 2026

The Board denied service connection for residuals of kidney cancer, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's asthma is granted as service connected due to exposure to fine particulate matter during active duty in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.,Obstructive sleep apnea secondary to PTSD is granted as service connected.,Diabetes mellitus type 2 (diabetes) secondary to PTSD is granted as service connected.,End stage renal disease status-post kidney transplant (claimed as kidney failure) secondary to diabetes is granted as service connected.,Service connection for blindness, to include light perception only, is remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for a medical opinion regarding potential TERA exposure.,Left knee disability is remanded due to lack of opinions on direct or presumptive service connection.,Right knee disability is remanded due to lack of opinions on direct or presumptive service connection.,Left shoulder disability is remanded due to lack of opinions on direct or presumptive service connection.,Right shoulder disability is remand due to lack of opinions on direct or presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's kidney disorder and CMML have been granted service connection, and the rating for CMML has been restored. The Board also found that there is some persuasive evidence linking the Veteran's hypothyroidism to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II; erectile dysfunction; kidney disease; right lower extremity nerve condition; left hip condition; and right hip condition due to potential pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The claims are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left hip disability, knee and shoulder pain, deep vein thrombosis, chronic kidney disease, hypertension, and mental health conditions have rendered him unable to work since July 7, 2020. Effective July 7, 2020, he is granted a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for kidney disease, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity due to a duty to assist error in the August 2021 VA medical opinion. The AOJ is required to obtain another VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current kidney condition.

The Veteran's kidney disorder and CMML are granted service connection, with a 100% rating for CMML effective July 1, 2025. Service connection is also granted for hypothyroidism.

The Board has granted the Veteran's appeals to reverse the severance of service connection for hypertension and kidney disease, finding that there is evidence indicating these conditions are at least as likely as not secondary to his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's kidney disorder and CMML have been granted service connection, and the rating for CMML has been restored. The Board also found that there is some persuasive evidence linking the Veteran's hypothyroidism to his military service.

The Veteran seeks a higher level of SMC based on the grant of service connection for chronic kidney disease. However, due to the secondary nature of his chronic kidney disease to type II diabetes mellitus, further clarification is needed regarding whether the conditions are separate and distinct.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for an adrenal condition (lesions), liver cysts, and a sinus condition (polyps) due to a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran's military occupation specialty as a helicopter repairman may have exposed him to toxic exposures that need to be evaluated.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for kidney cancer has been dismissed as the appeal is no longer before the Board. The earlier effective date for lung cancer has been granted to August 25, 2023. Claims for hypertension, essential tremors, and need for regular aid and attendance have been remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for a rating in excess of 0 percent for hepatitis C and service connection for nephrosclerosis, renal disease (claimed as chronic kidney disease) due to the appellant's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed to his cause of death. The examiner is requested to address if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities were a principal or contributory cause of death and if they contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the claims for coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, kidney disease, and peripheral vascular disease of the bilateral lower extremities as secondary to hypertension due to unclear herbicide exposure findings. The AOJ is required to properly develop toxic exposures under 38 U.S.C. § 1168.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's kidney stones did not begin during service or are related to any in-service injury or disease, including toxic risk activities (TERA). The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for kidney stones.

The Board denied service connection for cause of death due to a lack of credible evidence linking the Veteran's cancer, which caused his death, to toxic exposure at Fort McClellan during service. The Board concluded that there was no causal link between the claimed exposure and the Veteran's condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The effective date for the right kidney cancer disability was not earlier than October 24, 2022.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, and the Veteran is entitled to a hearing on his claim for service connection for a kidney disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's stage 3 chronic kidney disease (CKD) is related to his service-connected hypertension, and thus grants service connection for CKD as secondary.