Kidney disease decisions — 2026

The Veteran's kidney disability, including nephrolithiasis and chronic renal disease with hypertension, increased on October 20, 2022. The Board granted an effective date of October 20, 2022, for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a hysterectomy is denied as her hysterectomy was not related to her active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA as secondary to PTSD, but dismissed the claims for a compensable disability rating for chronic kidney disease and service connection for uncontrolled weight gain due to withdrawal of these claims by the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for valvular heart disease, secondary to hypertension. The issues of service connection for bruxism and loss of teeth are remanded due to the need for VA examinations. Service connection for chronic kidney disease is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and opinion regarding service connection for left renal cell carcinoma, including whether it is due to hypertension or other risk factors.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, coronary artery disease, chronic kidney disease, chest scar, and left arm scar as they are related to service. The AOJ is required to obtain additional information about the Veteran's military status and provide appropriate VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for adrenal insufficiency, headache condition, and pituitary gland disorder due to presumed herbicide agent exposure. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and active duty.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and migraine headache disorder are granted service connection. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, other than dementia is denied. The effective date of service connection for hypertension associated with herbicide exposure is set at August 10, 2022.

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

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and potential duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran's kidney condition, specifically end stage renal disease, is being reviewed for possible service connection based on his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from December 9, 2019 to May 16, 2021. From May 17, 2021, the claim is denied as moot due to his entitlement to SMC at the housebound rate.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, kidney disease secondary to hypertension, and a low back disorder. The decision is based on the benefit of doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected left leg amputation was a contributory cause of his death from renal conditions, and thus grants service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a right hamstring injury, sinusitis, kidney disability, and type II diabetes mellitus were dismissed due to the lack of valid procedural requirements in her appeal requests.

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, osteomyelitis, kidney condition, pulmonary fibrosis, pneumonia, and diabetes mellitus type II. These conditions are proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected rheumatoid arthritis.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension, stroke, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and brain tumor due to alleged in-service exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran is seeking a VA medical opinion regarding the relationship between his disabilities and military service.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant requested to withdraw their appeal concerning service connection for kidney cancer.

The Veteran's diabetes, bilateral peripheral neuropathy, and chronic renal disease are part of a single disease process. The Board granted SMC at the housebound rate from April 21, 2023, based on his service-connected disabilities that are not part of the diabetic process.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for chronic kidney disease due to a lack of adequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between his current condition and in-service exposures.

The Board has determined that the November 2023 VHA decision denying eligibility for PCAFC benefits is inadequate and requires further review by a medical opinion to determine if the Veteran requires personal care services, supervision or protection based on symptoms or residuals of neurological or other impairment or injury, or needs regular or extensive instruction or supervision without which his ability to function in daily life would be seriously impaired.