Kidney disease Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions as a result of exposure to herbicides are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's sinusitis with allergic rhinitis is currently rated at 30 percent, effective May 31, 2013. The Board finds that the evidence does not meet or more nearly reflect the criteria for a higher rating prior to this date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of Bell's palsy, medullary sponge kidney (kidney disorder), bilateral fallen arches, or optic neuritis. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records. The claims of service connection will be readjudicated after the additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's kidney cancer and hypertension were not incurred or aggravated by service, including exposure to herbicides. The preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Veteran's appeal for increases in the 'staged' ratings assigned for renal calculi and bladder cancer has been remanded due to incomplete records. An earlier effective date for a 30 percent rating is denied as there is no legal basis for an effective date prior to September 27, 2003.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's heart condition contributed to his death.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's exposure to herbicides and to obtain VA treatment records. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's focal glomerulosclerosis with bilateral echogenic kidney is rated at 60 percent since January 27, 1995 through March 21, 2012 and 30 percent since March 22, 2012. The higher initial rating for headaches has been granted.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for a kidney disorder and a respiratory disorder, as both conditions are not shown to be related to his active military service.

The Veteran's skin cancer and kidney disability were not shown to be related to his military service or herbicide exposure.,Both conditions are currently diagnosed, but the evidence does not support a finding that they are directly related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's kidney cancer, diagnosed after service and not related to his military service or exposure to herbicide agents, does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's death was caused by liver failure due to pulmonary metastasis and renal cancer, with no service-connected disability contributing substantially or materially to his death. The VA examiner concluded that the cause of death was related to the Veteran's non-service connected renal cell carcinoma.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude her from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and thus, she is not entitled to a TDIU.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and the nonservice-connected death pension issue. The Appellant and her representative have requested a medical opinion on whether the Veteran's cause of death was related to his period of active duty service, including presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule him for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board found that the appellant's pre-existing back and kidney disabilities were not aggravated by service, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a kidney contusion are being remanded for additional examination and development due to complaints of worsening symptoms. The case will be reviewed again after the requested actions have been completed.

The Veteran's kidney disease is currently rated at 60 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating. The Veteran also contends for SMC in excess of level n, but the evidence shows no need for such additional benefits.

The Board found that the Veteran's kidney disability did not manifest in service and does not relate to service, including as due to radiation exposure. Therefore, service connection for a kidney disability is denied.