Kidney disease Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for bladder cancer, pancreatic cancer, and renal cell carcinoma due to herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran's exposure is undisputed, but there is a question of whether his cancers are related to service.

The Veteran's cause of death is due to metastatic renal cancer, diabetes mellitus type II (DM), and hypertension. The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service in Thailand and that his DM was related to this exposure. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, sleep apnea, kidney condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety) have been reopened. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been granted.

The Board denied service connection for renal failure and the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or a service-connected disability.,There were also issues regarding DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318, which were not granted due to the Veteran not meeting the requirements for continuous total disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for compensation under 38 U.S.C. 1151 for renal failure, finding that the Veteran did not file his initial claim until October 8, 2009, more than five years after he started dialysis in July 2004.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for eye disability, left hand neuropathy, right hand neuropathy, hypertension, and kidney disability. The preponderance of evidence is against finding that these conditions are related to his military service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for nephrolithiasis and PTSD, as well as her claim for TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's disability picture for cystic kidney disease and associated hypertension has increased in severity, and the AOJ should afford him additional examinations to assess their current severity during flare-ups.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and chronic kidney disease as secondary to diabetes. However, the Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of duodenal ulcer disease with chronic gastritis and entitlement to TDIU are remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board denied service connection for a kidney disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a direct relationship to service or a service-connected condition. The claim of secondary service connection for diabetes mellitus was also denied as there was no current service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and effective date are remanded due to the need for additional information and medical opinions regarding his conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for renal cancer and prostate cancer are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate his claims.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, peripheral artery disease of the bilateral lower extremities, and a kidney disability due to their relationship to the Veteran's diabetes.

The Veteran's renal disease, hypertension, and IBS are all rated appropriately. However, the Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for arthritis and TDIU.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and records are needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's kidney stones, cervical spine disorder, and bilateral hearing loss. The case is therefore being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, while some issues regarding ratings and initial compensable ratings were granted. The appeal is mixed as some issues are granted and others are denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for renal cell carcinoma and neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The case is remanded to obtain additional evidence and provide VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for painful scars on the neck and ear was denied. The scars are painful but not unstable, and there is no evidence of instability or additional impairment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for hypertension, adrenalectomy loss, kidney disease, congestive heart failure, pulmonary edema, stroke, Conn’s Disease, enlarged node in the breast, and paralysis of the left lower extremity due to incomplete records. The VA is required to obtain all relevant medical records from the Veteran's service periods.