Kidney disease Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for renal cancer was granted in the November 2024 rating decision, with a 100% disability rating effective January 25, 2023.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to September 28, 2021. From September 28, 2021 to May 22, 2022, the Veteran had a combined total disability rating of 100%, which rendered the issue moot as he was already receiving SMC based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's heart failure is rated at 60 percent, but no higher. The Board found the evidence persuasive against a finding of a current diagnosis for vertigo, voiding dysfunction, and chronic kidney disease.,Service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis was remanded due to inadequate VA medical opinion regarding secondary service connection.

The Veteran's application for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability was denied because the evidence did not show that he was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation during the specified period.

The appeal is granted as the earlier effective dates for increased ratings of CAD and hearing loss, an earlier effective date for a 70% disability rating for PTSD, and an earlier effective date for TDIU benefits are granted. The appeal for SMC at the housebound rate is also granted with an effective date of January 30, 2023.

The Veteran's chronic kidney disease was granted an increased rating to 60 percent effective June 19, 2025. The decision is based on GFR results from July, August and September 2025.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic kidney disease contributed substantially to his death, which was listed as the immediate cause of death. Therefore, the Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is granted with an effective date of September 28, 2023. The effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) based on permanent and total disability status is also set to this date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including kidney disorder, heart disorder, left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, hearing loss, and bilateral eye disorder (nuclear sclerotic cataracts with vitreous membrane detachment and associated floaters), are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board also found that the Veteran's hypertension claim is remanded for further analysis.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for kidney disability is remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification.

The Veteran's TDIU rating based on depressive disorder is granted from October 17, 2018 to March 26, 2019. SMC at the housebound rate is also granted prior to March 26, 2019.

The Veteran's attorney, R.C., is eligible for a direct payment of reasonable attorney fees based on the past-due benefits awarded in February and March 2022 Rating Decisions. However, the appeal is denied as the highest reasonable fee that may be charged is 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date and a higher initial evaluation for chronic kidney disease (CKD) is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for kidney cancer and lung cancer as due to radiation exposure during active duty.,The cause of death, metastatic kidney cancer, was also denied as related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are dismissed due to untimely filing of the Notice of Disagreement (NOD). The appeal is also dismissed as there was no good cause shown for the late filing.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied in the April 2017, December 2017, and April 2021 rating decisions. The Board found that the Veteran did not timely file his appeal requests.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for prostate cancer is dismissed. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection for chronic kidney disease, SMC based on regular aid and attendance, SMC based on housebound status, and scars.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is granted at a 70 percent evaluation, effective November 17, 2022. The rating for chronic kidney disease remains noncompensable.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cerebrovascular metabolic disease, neurobehavioral disability (including headaches and dizziness), peripheral neuropathy, and kidney disability due to potential service connection based on exposure at Camp Lejeune. The AOJ is required to obtain medical opinions regarding these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to November 22, 2021, for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and dependency and indemnity compensation (DEA). The Board found that there was no evidence showing the Veteran could not maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.