Kidney disease decisions — 2000

The veteran's low back disorder is rated at 40 percent, and he meets the criteria for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of evidence supporting a current disability and no link between service and claimed conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of hepatitis and a kidney disorder, finding that there is no competent evidence to support these claims.

The veteran's claim for VA compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking his claimed disabilities to the prescribed medications during outpatient treatment in August and September 1996. His service connection claim for headaches remains unresolved.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for right nephrectomy and renal cell carcinoma resulting from asbestos exposure during service, finding no competent medical evidence to support the claim.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Columbia Clearwater Memorial Hospital from May 8, 1996 to May 13, 1996 is denied because he did not meet the criteria for such reimbursement.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for shrapnel wound of the right arm, hypertension, abdominal aortic aneurysm, telangiectasia macularis eruptiva perstans (secondary to Agent Orange exposure), and renal cyst (secondary to Agent Orange exposure). The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred during his hospitalization at a private facility is denied as he has never established service connection for any disability.

The Board found that the veteran's claim of service connection for a kidney disorder is not well-grounded, as there is no credible evidence showing the condition was incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has denied the claims for secondary service connection for renal artery stenosis and a thyroid condition as due to service-connected hypertension, finding that there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for DIC and death pension benefits as her marriage to the veteran was less than a year prior to his death, which is not sufficient for basic eligibility under VA regulations.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection were not well grounded, as there was no evidence of current disabilities or a link between his claimed conditions and military service.

The veteran's death was caused by renal failure, cancer of the esophagus, hypertension, and diabetes. These conditions were not service-connected.

The Board found that the veteran's claims were not well-grounded and denied service connection for a low back disorder and kidney and other urinary tract disorders.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the veteran's cause of death to his period of service, and denied the claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for increased rating and service connection is being remanded due to incomplete development of the record, including a need for VA examinations.

The Board dismissed the issue of service connection for kidney stones due to a lack of timely appeal. The claim for an increased rating for sinusitis remains before the Board and is not granted as there is no evidence of severe disability warranting a higher evaluation.

The VA has determined that the veteran's disabilities do not warrant a higher disability evaluation based on current symptomatology.,The VA has determined that the veteran's right foot disability does not warrant a higher disability evaluation based on current symptomatology.,The VA has determined that the veteran's left leg muscle group XI disability does not warrant a higher disability evaluation based on current symptomatology.,The VA has determined that the veteran's thigh, hip, and buttock disability does not warrant a higher disability evaluation based on current symptomatology.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and a kidney disorder, finding that both conditions are related to service. The veteran is also awarded a 10% evaluation for his pilonidal cyst from June 21, 1996.

The Board has found that the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is well grounded. However, due to insufficient evidence of a verified in-service stressor and lack of medical nexus between current symptoms and service, the claims for chronic sinus disorder, chronic kidney disorder, and skin disorder are denied.