Kidney disease decisions — 2026

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, spinal disability, and hypertension with acute renal failure are all granted. The rating for spinal disability is restored to 20 percent effective January 6, 2020. An increased rating for hypertension with acute renal failure is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right kidney disability, finding no evidence of an in-service event or injury that caused his current condition and no competent opinion linking it to service.

The Board has determined that the March 2025 decision denying eligibility for PCAFC benefits is legally inadequate and remands the case to allow for a new medical determination considering all relevant evidence, including the Veteran's conditions and functional ability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment for the entire applicable appeal period.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. Service connection for diabetes, chronic renal insufficiency, fibromyalgia, heart condition, thyroid disorder, primary optic atrophy of the bilateral eyes, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura are denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to her active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension, chronic kidney disease, CAD, diabetes, and obstructive sleep apnea due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran contends that his conditions are related to in-service exposure to diesel fuel exhaust.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) examination to determine if his kidney disability is related to herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to the complexity of the issues and the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of July 26, 2022, for a 10 percent rating for nephrolithiasis and ureterolithiasis with chronic UTIs is granted. The claim for an earlier effective date for the lumbar spine disability remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for a right corneal abrasion is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's claims for diabetes, hypertension, and kidney conditions are remanded due to potential service connection based on exposure at Camp Lejeune.,The Veteran's claim for sleep apnea is remanded due to his contention that he has had the condition for over 30 years.,The Veteran's claim for bilateral pes planus is remanded as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence of aggravation by service.,The Veteran's claim for degenerative arthritis, right hip, is remanded due to lack of a nexus between service and his current condition.,The Veteran's claims for right and left ankle conditions are both remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes, diabetic neuropathy, heart condition, eye conditions, depression, and loss of sex drive due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran was not provided with VA examinations for these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's diabetic nephropathy is related to service or his service-connected hypertension, and if so, whether it was aggravated by his hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, bilateral hip replacements, and renal cysts, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU based on the combined effect of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings have been remanded due to the need for further development of evidence. The Veteran is not entitled to higher initial ratings for his bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, right elbow scars, kidney conditions, lower back condition, ankle strains, or knee strains.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the appellant's recurrent tinnitus manifested during active duty. The claim of entitlement to service connection for a digestive system disability (GERD), hypertension, kidney disability (contusion), and migraines is remanded due to new and relevant evidence submitted by the appellant.,The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims of entitlement to service connection for a digestive system disability (GERD), hypertension, kidney disability (contusion), and migraines are remanded due to new and relevant evidence submitted by the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the evidence regarding the presence and nature of current chronic kidney disability, its relationship to service, and whether there are additional residuals beyond those already service-connected. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a kidney disability that is not already covered by his existing service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis B, polycystic disease of the right kidney, ureteropelvic junction obstruction, and acne have all been dismissed as they were already granted or are not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's kidney stones, specifically whether they were caused or aggravated by his service-connected bladder cancer.

The Veteran's SMC based on housebound status is granted, and he is also awarded increased ratings for his peripheral neuropathy conditions.

The Veteran's nephrolithiasis (kidney stones) disability, which manifested with requiring invasive or non-invasive procedures more than two times per year from August 1, 2022, is granted an increased rating of 30 percent effective August 1, 2022.