Kidney disease decisions — 2026

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and MDD, along with other physical conditions such as end stage renal disease, left eye blindness, and cognitive impairment, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted SMC at the rate provided by 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic kidney disease (CKD) with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is denied as the earliest effective date possible is August 2, 2024. The PACT Act did not establish CKD as a presumptive disease relating to herbicide agent exposure and MGUS was diagnosed after the liberalizing law.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip and back disabilities, hypertension, prostate cancer, and chronic kidney disease on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability. The evidence supports that these conditions are caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions are being remanded due to a duty to assist error regarding SSA disability benefit records.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's adrenal cancer, finding that exposure to toxins during active service is more persuasive than other explanations.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for acquired kidney disease and hypertension due to new and relevant evidence submitted after the final denial. The claims are remanded as further development is needed, including a VA examination.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of January 28, 2019 for the establishment of entitlement to SMC based on aid and attendance. The issue of a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for residuals of tonsillectomy with dysphagia is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's hypertension and polycystic kidney disease were rated as 30 percent prior to December 1, 2019, and 60 percent from December 1, 2019, to June 14, 2020. The appeal is denied for a rating in excess of these percentages.,Service connection for sleep apnea was denied as the Veteran's disability was not related to any injury or event incurred in service.

The appeals for service connection on four separate conditions (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, kidney disease, and right knee replacement) have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for irritable bowel syndrome, sleep apnea, and loss of kidney function as requested by the appellant.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and kidney disease have been dismissed because the Veteran passed away during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic kidney disease stage IV with dialysis and hypertension, as well as a claim for a psychiatric disorder secondary to these conditions. The remand is due to issues of new evidence received after the initial rating decisions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his kidney cancer was granted effective January 20, 2023. The effective date is based on the evidence showing more than three consecutive months of GFR scores between 30 and 44.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including diverticulosis, erectile dysfunction (ED), an acquired psychiatric disorder, cirrhosis of the liver, anemia, chronic kidney disease, polyneuropathy, acute gastritis with hemorrhage, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for residuals of a kidney removal and prostate disability due to incomplete VA medical opinions regarding exposure to toxic substances at Fort Ord. The claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis remains denied.

The Veteran's CKD did not result in a GFR score of 59 mL/min/1.73 m2 or lower for at least three consecutive months during any 12-month period, nor did it require regular routine dialysis or make him eligible for a kidney transplant. Therefore, the claim for an initial compensable rating for CKD is denied.

The Veteran's kidney stones and back disability are granted as service connected. The case is remanded for further development regarding the back disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right groin pain, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, cardiac arrest residuals, left kidney disease, stroke residuals, vertigo, and vision loss. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred in or are otherwise related to service.,The Board found no credible evidence showing the Veteran experienced any of these conditions during his active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors, including obtaining medical opinions and private treatment records.

The Board has found that the Veteran needs personal care services for at least six continuous months due to his service-connected heart and kidney conditions, but remands for a clinical determination of whether participation in the PCAFC program is in his best interest.