Kidney disease decisions — 2000

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a left ankle disability, and renal disease. The decision found that there was no evidence of chronic conditions during or after service.

The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 24, 1998 for the assignment of a TDIU is granted. The RO found that the veteran was entitled to a total rating based on individual unemployability as his schedular rating met the minimum criteria.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of the cause of the veteran's death due to new and material evidence, but has determined that the claim is not well-grounded as there is no competent medical evidence linking any condition during service to the cause of death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's kidney transplant residuals do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's cause of death to service or any condition related to service, including exposure to radiation. The appellant claimed her husband's lung cancer and chemotherapy treatment were responsible for his death, but the Board did not find this claim plausible.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his various disabilities, finding that he is not in need of such assistance.

The veteran's son, who is over the age of 18 and not permanently incapable of self-support before reaching the age of 18, does not meet the criteria for accrued benefits as defined under the relevant law and regulation. Therefore, his claim for VA compensation for accrued benefit purposes is denied.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected left nephrectomy and lumbosacral spine disability, with a current rating of 30% for the former and 60% for the latter.

The case is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical evidence from SSA and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the veteran's current disabilities and his service, thus denying all claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of exposure to ionizing radiation, including various symptoms such as bleeding gums, rashes, ulcers, bones and joints, kidney stone, gallbladder, lost teeth, spurs in the shoulders, and headaches, are not well-grounded. The claim for suspected cancer as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation is also not well-grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the initial 50 percent evaluation assigned for PTSD was proper.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding no relationship between his military service and the causes of his death as listed on the death certificate.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions are not well-grounded.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection were not well grounded due to lack of evidence supporting his claims. The claim for an initial compensable evaluation for recurrent bloody nose was denied as a matter of law.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current kidney disease or sinusitis to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for ankle and neck conditions, as well as kidney, lung, hypertension, heart, and stomach conditions are not well-grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a service-connected psychiatric disability, including post-traumatic stress disorder; a chancroid with lymphadenitis; or any other claimed conditions. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have been granted increased ratings, with the highest rating of 10% for each condition.