Kidney disease Board decisions

The appeal for service connection of kidney stones is dismissed. The appeals for bilateral hearing loss, left eye disability, right eye disability, residuals of heat stroke, and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him incapable of securing or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's death was not caused by VA negligence or carelessness, and the Board denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and an addendum opinion is needed regarding kidney stones and their impact on the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's kidney disease and COPD were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and in-service exposure. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence was against these claims.,For bilateral hearing loss prior to September 19, 2019, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. Since September 19, 2019, his most severe hearing loss disability picture revealed Level IV and X hearing loss in both ears, which does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for liver cyst, pancreatic cysts, and renal cysts due to asbestos exposure and secondary to service-connected COPD. The VA must obtain an addendum medical opinion that defines aggravation as any increase in disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's chronic kidney disease and his service, specifically his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The claims of entitlement to service connection for left hand/finger disorder, kidney/renal/urinary disorder, and dental disorder are remanded due to the need for medical inquiry into the Veteran's assertions regarding his military service.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 60 percent for the Veteran's kidney disability and denied a separate rating for his diarrhea, finding that neither condition warranted such ratings.

The Veteran's kidney stone disorder has not been shown to cause renal dysfunction, which is required for a higher rating. Therefore, the initial rating of 30 percent remains in effect.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not limit or prevent participation in the avocational interests of exercise, photography, and music. The Board denied the request for VR&E benefits to purchase a music keyboard, stationary and electric bicycles, and camera as part of his avocational activities.

The Board denied service connection for both hypertension and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) as secondary to hypertension. The decision found that the evidence did not support a link between the conditions and service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and kidney disabilities. The claims are remanded due to the need for further development including VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to insufficient evidence showing that VA carelessness, negligence, or lack of proper skill caused his renal failure.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including diabetes mellitus, neuritis, kidney disorder (claimed as diabetic nephropathy), and diabetic retinopathy. Additional development is required for these claims.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for hemorrhoids was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating higher than 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative disc disease of the thoracic spine is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding functional loss during flare-ups or after repetitive use over time.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an evaluation from a VA oncologist regarding the relationship between the Veteran's kidney cancer and his service, including herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims of increased rating and earlier effective date for tinnitus have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for hyperlipidemia, kidney disability, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, gout, eye disability (cataracts), and hypertension are all denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for renal insufficiency, heart condition, and lumbar spine condition due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right kidney disorder. The case is now remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records from Tampa VAMC and requesting authorization for private care providers' records.