Kidney disease decisions — 2000

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person is denied as there is no evidence showing he is helpless or so nearly helpless that he requires such assistance.

The veteran's neuropsychiatric disability is rated at 100 percent, the highest possible rating. The right renal calculus with microhematuria is rated at noncompensable (0 percent).

The Board denied the appellant's claim to reopen her service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, including as a result of Agent Orange exposure, due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board found that there was no evidence linking the veteran's death to his service-connected conditions, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a kidney disorder and kidney stones, hypertension, and minimal degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine due to lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his period of active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetic neuropathy, seborrheic dermatitis, and kidney stones as secondary to Agent Orange exposure due to a lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's asthma, allergic skin reaction, seizure disorder, prostate disorder, kidney disorder, sore glands, uvulectomy (throat operation), stomach disorder, low back disorder, and cervical spine disorder are all service-connected.

The Board found that the veteran's right nephrectomy was not unnecessary or improper, and there is no evidence of additional disability beyond what was intended. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was denied.

The veteran's appeal was denied as he did not obtain prior VA authorization for the home improvements and structural alterations, which were completed without such authorization.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well grounded as there is no evidence of a current disability or link to service.

The Board found that the veteran's death was caused by renal cell carcinoma, which is not related to service or a service-connected condition. The preponderance of evidence does not support granting service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board is remanding the case to the RO for readjudication in accordance with the Hodge decision, which allows consideration of new evidence submitted by the veteran since the last final denial.

The Board found that the veteran's adenocarcinoma of the right kidney is not causally related to any inservice radiation exposure and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of hemorrhagic fever, a vascular disorder, and a renal condition due to lack of competent medical evidence. The claim for service connection for a left hand injury is granted based on credible testimony regarding an in-service shrapnel wound.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes and determined that it is well-grounded. The issues of service connection for diabetic retinopathy and kidney problems are dependent on whether service connection is granted for diabetes.

The veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and he did not have a permanent total service-connected disability during his lifetime. The claim for basic eligibility for Survivors'/Dependents' Educational Assistance under Chapter 35 is also denied.

The veteran is seeking service connection for renal cancer, which occurred after a left radical nephrectomy. The case is being remanded to determine if the veteran was exposed to ionizing radiation during service and to obtain a dose estimate.

The Board has found that there is competent medical evidence of a nexus between the veteran's current kidney disorder and his service-connected bipolar disorder. The claim for service connection for diabetes insipidus, secondary to bipolar disorder, was also granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic acquired kidney disorder and additional bilateral foot disorders to include pes planus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for renal cell carcinoma, claimed as secondary to herbicide exposure is well grounded. The evidence supports a finding that it is at least as likely as not that the veteran's renal cell cancer could be caused by his exposure to herbicides during military service.