Kidney disease decisions — 2000

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic renal failure. The claim for PTSD was also denied as it did not result in occupational and social impairment warranting a higher evaluation. The shell fragment wound scars were evaluated at their current levels of 10 percent.

The appellant has been granted service connection for post-traumatic neck pain syndrome and upper back pain syndrome, as well as a current diagnosis of allergies (urticaria).,Service connection was denied for gastritis/gastroenteritis, right ankle injury, pes planus, sinus/throat/larynx conditions, and bladder/kidney condition (ureterocele).

The Board dismissed the appeal because no timely substantive appeal was filed within the required time frame.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for the cause of death, dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) under section 1151, and DIC under section 1318 due to a lack of evidence showing that any disability was caused by VA treatment or fault.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen them.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current end stage renal disease, chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis is a result of his service and grants the claim.

The Board has granted a 40 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, which is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The veteran's kidney stones are currently evaluated at 30 percent.

The veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance is denied as his need to use diapers does not meet the legal requirements for such a benefit.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for cardiovascular renal disease with hypertension, including as secondary to Agent Orange exposure. The issue is now before the RO for further review and determination.

The veteran's loss of the right kidney is determined to be a congenital condition and not incurred in service. Headaches, however, are found to have originated during service.

The Board has granted an initial compensable evaluation of 20 percent for impotence, effective from May 9, 1995.

The veteran's claim for compensation under section 1151 due to VA hospitalization and treatment resulting in rhabdomyolysis, renal failure, and heart disease is denied. The Board found no medical evidence linking these conditions specifically to the VA treatment.

The veteran's service connection claim for bilateral breast nodules was denied. However, the veteran's bipolar disorder is now rated at its highest possible evaluation of 100 percent.

The veteran's multiple disabilities, including muscle spasms and joint pain, skin disorder, kidney disorder, tonsillitis, chronic back pain and stiffness, cardiac disorder, hypertension, heart bypass surgery residuals, glaucoma, corneal opacities, cholecystitis, are not due to mustard gas exposure or any other service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's kidney disability with hypertension improved, warranting a reduction from a 100% rating to a 30% rating. The veteran is also seeking an evaluation in excess of 30%, but the evidence does not support such a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's renal cyst of the right kidney does not warrant an initial compensable rating under any applicable criteria, as there is no evidence of significant impairment or disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a kidney disorder secondary to her service-connected ulcerative colitis and an increased rating for her service-connected ulcerative colitis.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left hip and kidney disabilities as not well-grounded. The claim of increased rating for degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine is granted with a 40% disability rating.

The Board has determined that the service-connected conditions did not contribute to the veteran's death or significantly aggravate his non-service connected conditions, leading to a denial of the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a kidney disorder, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen his previously denied claims.