Kidney disease decisions — 2026

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cause of death and dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) benefits based on service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's renal failure was related to his active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cause of death due to end stage renal failure and end stage liver disease, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current diagnoses of hypertension and kidney disease are related to his exposure to firefighting foam while in service, but further development is needed to verify this exposure.

The Veteran's initial increased disability rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) prior to April 26, 2017 was denied.,A separate disability rating of 50 percent for sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected CAD is granted since September 10, 2015.,From November 1, 2017 to March 10, 2024, a separate, non-compensable disability rating for chronic kidney disease (CKD) as secondary to service-connected CAD is granted.,Since March 11, 2024, a separate, 30 percent disability rating for CKD as secondary to service-connected CAD is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding kidney disease, lumbar spine disorder, and headaches.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for kidney cancer was granted on a direct basis, effective June 10, 2021. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service exposure to asbestos and radiation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate verification of in-service exposure and the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic kidney disease and cerebral infarction (claimed as a stroke), finding that these conditions are proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for bowel incontinence, bilateral foot disability (plantar fasciitis), and tinnitus have been denied. The appeal seeking service connection for a kidney disability has been remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent, but no higher. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.,The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating due to the ameliorative effects of medication.,The Veteran's lumbar spine IVDS status post compression fracture, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are each rated at 40 percent. The Board finds that these ratings are appropriate based on the severity of his symptoms.,Service connection has been granted for abnormal renal function, erectile dysfunction, hypogonadism, prostate condition, and hernia due to exposure to toxic risk exposure activities (TERA) in service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to untimely filing of VA Form 10182. The Board also remanded the claims for right knee and left wrist conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including sleep apnea, brain tumor, kidney failure, back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and right shoulder disorder. The Veteran did not provide good cause for failing to attend a VA examination related to his hearing loss claim.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, kidney disorder, and prostate disorder have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or a link to service.

The Veteran's claim for Total Disability Rating Due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is granted, effective from November 4, 2016. The TDIU was previously denied prior to this date due to the Board's failure to consider whether his service-connected disabilities could be combined and considered 'one disability' under VA regulations.

The Board has dismissed the issues of service connection for hypertensive heart disease and granted a rating of 30 percent for chronic kidney disease, effective August 9, 2025. The issue regarding an earlier effective date for chronic kidney disease was denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for kidney stones was denied, and service connection for hemorrhoids was granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran was not granted service connection for any conditions, but his migraine headaches and neuropathy were found to be related to his service-connected lumbar strain with mild lumbar spondylosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to a duty to assist error in not obtaining opinions addressing all of the Veteran's toxic exposure risk activities, including garrison exposures. The Board finds that there is sufficient information to establish participation in Toxic Exposure Risk Activities (TERA) through garrison exposure and thus a pre-decisional duty to assist error occurred.

The Veteran's spouse is appealing for service connection for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease and pancreatic cancer. The VA has remanded the cases due to inadequate medical opinions in the May 2020 VA examinations.