Citation Nr: 20004339
Decision Date: 01/21/20	Archive Date: 01/17/20

DOCKET NO. 18-15 244
DATE: January 21, 2020

REMANDED

Entitlement to service connection for a kidney condition to include as secondary to arteriosclerotic heart disease is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served honorably in the United States Army from September 1961 to August 1968.  

Although the Board regrets the delay, remand is required to ensure there is a complete record on which to decide the Veteran’s claim.  

1. Entitlement to service connection for a kidney condition to include as secondary to arteriosclerotic heart disease is remanded.

The Veteran alleges his currently diagnosed kidney condition should be secondarily service connected to his arteriosclerotic heart disease. Private medical records show a current diagnosis of kidney disease. See Private treatment dated September 2015. 

The Veteran has not been afforded a VA examination. The Board believes that a medical examination with opinion based on full consideration of the Veteran’s documented medical history and assertions, and supported by clearly stated rationale, would be helpful in resolving the secondary service-connection claim. See 38 U.S.C. § 5103A; 38 C.F.R. § 3.159; McLendon, 20 Vet. App. at 79.

Further, the Veteran testified at an October 2019 hearing that he had received ongoing care for his kidney condition at Geisinger Medical Center. A review of the record shows the Veteran’s treatment from Geisinger Medical Center was requested and obtained in May 2016. Accordingly, an updated treatment record should be obtained. 

The matters are REMANDED for the following actions:

1. Obtain the outstanding treatment records from the Geisinger Medical Center, specifically from May 2016 to present, as identified by the Veteran.

2. Following completion of the above directive, obtain an opinion from a qualified medical professional to determine whether the Veteran’s currently diagnosed kidney condition is related to service or a service-connected disability to include arteriosclerotic heart disease. Specifically, please render opinions as to the following:

(a.) whether it is at least as likely as not (i.e. 50 percent or greater probability) that the Veteran’s kidney condition is related to his military service. 

(b.) whether it is at least as likely as not (i.e. 50 percent or greater probability) that the Veteran’s kidney condition is due to his service-connected arteriosclerotic heart disease.

(c.) whether it is at least as likely as not (i.e. 50 percent or greater probability) that the Veteran’s kidney condition is aggravated by the service-connected arteriosclerotic heart disease. Note that aggravation means any incremental increase in disability in non-service-connected disabilities (i.e., any additional impairment of earning capacity) resulting from service-connected conditions.

 

 

A. S. CARACCIOLO

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans’ Appeals

Attorney for the Board	Laura C. Owens

The Board’s decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided. This decision is not precedential, and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.