Kidney disease decisions — 2026

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's in-service injury and breathing complaints caused his death. The appellant seeks service connection for the cause of death, which is related to exposure to toxins in service and an in-service injury involving machinery.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy, service connection for erectile dysfunction, and service connection for renal dysfunction (nephrolithiasis).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic kidney disease, which is claimed as due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and/or as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II, has been remanded. The matter is inextricably intertwined with his pending claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has determined that the March 2025 rating decision did not address all of the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, and kidney disorder. The AOJ must provide a TERA examination and medical opinion if necessary to establish service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for kidney disability, brain lesions and stroke disability, and hypertension are being remanded due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The examiner is asked to provide an opinion on the etiology of these conditions in relation to active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the cause of the Veteran's chronic kidney disease, specifically whether it was caused by presumed exposures at Camp Lejeune or secondary to his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for chronic renal insufficiency with hypertension has been granted, and he is now receiving a 100 percent schedular rating. The issue of special monthly compensation at the housebound rate prior to January 26, 2021, remains pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left retroperitoneal tumor with liposarcoma status-post surgery with resection of colon, distal pancreas, spleen, and partial adrenal gland due to in-service exposure to toxins and other chemicals. The evidence does not support a finding that the liposarcoma was caused by such exposures.

The Veteran's bladder cancer is presumed related to his exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Board finds the Veteran exposed to herbicides and grants service connection for this condition. Service connection for lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right; chronic kidney disease; atrial fibrillation (claimed as AFib); and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's cause of death was due to acute respiratory failure, with pulmonary edema, acute renal failure, renal cell cancer, and coronary artery disease as contributing causes. The VA examiner found that the asbestos exposure did not contribute to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The Board found that his fatigue and kidney stones did not warrant an increase in rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new medical opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's kidney stones were clearly and unmistakably not aggravated by military service.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA as secondary to service-connected hypertension with renal insufficiency, based on the opinion of a non-VA clinician who linked the Veteran's conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed due to untimely filings. The Board also found the AOJ decisions on kidney stones and gastrointestinal symptoms insufficient, requiring further examination.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding earlier effective dates for various evaluations due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death due to the Veteran's service-connected cardiac disability, and dismissed the DIC claim as moot.

The Veteran's cause of death was kidney cancer, which is not presumed to be associated with toxic herbicide exposure. However, the Board finds that there may be a connection between the Veteran's fatal kidney cancer and his service within the Republic of Vietnam due to potential herbicide exposure. The case is remanded for a VA medical opinion to determine if this connection exists.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including back surgery, COPD, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and diabetes mellitus type II, are not related to service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and further development is needed.

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