Kidney disease Board decisions

The Board has granted compensation benefits for chronic kidney disease and congestive heart failure, finding that the events were not reasonably foreseeable due to a lack of informed consent regarding potential risks.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and a kidney disability due to inadequate prior medical opinions. The case is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension and kidney disease are denied as they are not etiologically related to his military service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran's PTSD claim is granted with a rating of 70 percent prior to February 5, 2020.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for renal cell carcinoma, finding that his kidney cancer did not have its onset during active service and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient service records and VA treatment records, which may affect the determination of the cause of death.

The Veteran's service-connected nephrolithiasis with chronic kidney disease/renal failure has not resulted in severe renal dysfunction that required persistent edema and albuminuria with blood urea nitrogen (BUN) 40 to 80 mg%; or creatinine 4 to 8 mg%; or generalized poor health characterized by lethargy, weakness, anorexia, weight loss, or limitation of exertion. Therefore, a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's Crohn's disease and clear cell renal carcinoma are not service-connected, with the exception of IBS and IBD which remain under review.,Service connection for a bowel disorder (IBS and IBD) is remanded to determine their relationship to service or diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal of a higher evaluation for renal insufficiency with hypertension prior to August 15, 2017 has been dismissed as the Veteran requested to withdraw the issue.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the death of the appellant, as it does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these appeals.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied as his condition did not require regulation of activities. The claim for TDIU was also denied due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his ability to perform substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for a kidney cyst and granted an effective date of November 19, 2019 for the 30 percent rating for headaches. The Veteran's appeal was remanded on other issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and chronic kidney stones due to herbicide exposure, as well as their secondary effects from service-connected PTSD. The case requires additional development including obtaining an addendum medical opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for renal cell carcinoma and hypothyroidism due to inadequate prior medical opinions. The cases are now pending further development.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims for various conditions including anxiety disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic kidney disease, sleep disorder, and head injuries.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is proximately due to his service-connected chronic kidney disease, and thus grants service connection for this condition as secondary to his service-connected disability.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration. Specifically, they need to obtain medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's chronic kidney disease is related to herbicide exposure during service and if his diabetes mellitus requires regulation of activities.

The Veteran's initial staged disability rating for service-connected chronic kidney disease is granted at a 100 percent from August 15, 2013. The ratings prior to that date are denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease with bypass surgery is denied. The claims of service connection for kidney disability, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 14, 2013 for a 60% evaluation for service-connected membranous nephropathy (kidney disability) is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 12, 2016 for the grant of service connection for scleroderma renal crisis is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including kidney condition, rheumatoid arthritis, osteomyelitis, osteoporosis, and gastrointestinal (GI) condition. The remand is due to inadequate medical nexus opinions obtained on previous remands.