Kidney disease Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including their relationship to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, and he is granted this benefit. For his erectile dysfunction and kidney stones claims, further development is needed to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for a higher level of SMC based on the need for aid and attendance was granted, effective from August 12, 2014. The effective date is not earlier than November 30, 2011.

The Veteran's cause of death, metastatic renal cell cancer, is found to be due to exposure to herbicides during service. Service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Veteran's application for a clothing allowance was not timely filed, as it was received after the July 31st deadline. Therefore, he is denied entitlement to clothing allowances for 2004 through 2013.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a cervical spine disorder, diabetes mellitus, kidney disorder, liver disorder, and autoimmune disorder. The decision found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran has a scar from kidney surgery during service, which is considered a residual of the in-service treatment.,There is no evidence of current residuals of meningitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung disabilities, to include obstructive and restrictive lung defects, are related to his exposure during service. The Veteran's jaw bone condition is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's arrhythmia and renal stenosis are granted service connection on a direct basis, as the evidence does not support causation by service-connected hepatitis C. The Veteran's renal stenosis is also granted service connection due to aggravation of a non-service connected condition (Tacrolimus).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeals regarding increased ratings for lumbar myositis, tarsal tunnel syndrome, and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been withdrawn. The claims of service connection for bilateral ankle disabilities, bilateral knee disabilities, kidney disability, sleep problems, bilateral elbow disabilities, and bilateral hand disabilities were denied as there is no evidence that any such conditions were incurred or aggravated during active service.

The Board has ordered additional development of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining private treatment records and providing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and chronic kidney disease are not related to his military service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining additional medical records. The appellant's need for aid and attendance or housebound status will be evaluated.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for a kidney condition is also granted based on herbicide exposure during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's kidney disease was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and denied this claim. For his tinnitus, the Board granted service connection as it is due to noise exposure during military service.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction, PTSD, and bilateral hearing loss disability. The Veteran's current diagnoses of these conditions are supported by competent medical evidence, and the causal relationship between his service-connected diabetes mellitus and PTSD is established.

The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss disability, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, kidney disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), alcohol abuse disorder, acid reflux, and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral sensorineural hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification regarding exposure to Camp Lejeune and environmental toxins.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, hypertension, and a kidney disorder are all being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification.,The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification regarding in-service psychiatric treatment records and diagnoses.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for alcohol abuse disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification regarding the relationship between his alcohol use and any diagnosed mental health conditions.,The Veteran's claim for acid reflux is being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification.,The Veteran's claim for hypertension is being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification.

The claims of entitlement to service connection for right hip, left hip, and back conditions have been reopened. The Veteran's knee conditions are also pending.,Service connection for a kidney disability is not warranted.

The Veteran's disability was rated at 30 percent from June 14, 2007. The rating has been increased to 80 percent as of July 15, 2015.