Kidney disease decisions — 2026

The Board has granted service connection for heart condition, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service at RTAFB Ubon and RTAFB Udorn. The appeals are all granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II, chronic kidney disease, and left foot little toe amputation are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error by failing to obtain medical records from the Veteran's private primary care providers, Dr. Richard Brand, Dr. Buckingham and Dr. Christoper.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA eligibility are granted effective May 1, 2014.,Both conditions were met for the first time on May 1, 2014.

The Veteran's kidney disease is granted as secondary to his service-connected hepatitis C. The Veteran also received SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and chronic kidney disease. The conditions are presumed to be associated with herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for the regular aid and attendance of another person or housebound status is denied as he does not require such assistance.

The Veteran's kidney cancer residuals are rated at 60% prior to August 7, 2023, and at 80% thereafter. The claim for an earlier effective date is denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for diabetes mellitus, kidney failure, and vision disorder as they were submitted after concurrent elections of review options.

The Board has determined that the AOJ erred in failing to consider updated VA treatment records and an insufficient VA examination when deciding on the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for chronic renal disease. The AOJ is directed to obtain any outstanding/updated VA treatment records and conduct another VA examination if necessary.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic kidney disease is related to service, specifically his participation in a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) at Camp Lejeune. However, due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, the case must be remanded for further development and an opinion from a nephrologist regarding the etiology of the Veteran's chronic kidney disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic kidney disease is caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus and hypertension, thus granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for chronic kidney disease is denied as his eGFR has not been below 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 or BUN and creatinine levels have not met the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic kidney disease, finding that there is no medical evidence linking the condition to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for kidney stones and benign prostatic hyperplasia, finding that these conditions are due to herbicide agent exposure during active service. The Veteran's claims were supported by medical opinions linking the conditions to his in-service exposure.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease, and chronic kidney disease as the evidence does not support a link to service or any presumptive exposure. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's chronic kidney disease, including its relationship to service, toxic exposure during service at Fort McClellan, and whether it is aggravated by her service-connected colon cancer.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for nephritis and related scars were denied, with the effective date set at April 24, 2024.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to errors in obtaining evidence and medical opinions related to the Veteran's reported exposures during service and their potential impact on his claimed conditions.

The Board has restored service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and its associated lower extremity neuropathies as well as chronic renal disease due to the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Korea.