Kidney disease decisions — 2000

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are well-grounded, but finds that his claim for a respiratory disability is not well-grounded. The kidney disorder including polycystic kidney disease is found to be related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a kidney disorder and restoration of a 20 percent disability rating for hypertension. The appeal is remanded to determine if the veteran has a current kidney disorder related to his service-connected diabetes or hypertension.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected peripheral vascular disease, hypertension, and kidney stones have been granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for a right fifth metacarpal fracture and service connection for a genitourinary system disorder, as both lacked legal merit.

The veteran's claim for basic eligibility for veterans benefits based on a period of civilian employment with the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1953 is denied as there is no showing of basic eligibility.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain medical opinions regarding whether the veteran's service-connected PTSD led to alcohol abuse and chronic substance abuse, which in turn contributed to his death.

The Board denied the veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for a kidney disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been received.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence to support a plausible claim and thus not well-grounded.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance.

The Board found no evidence that any service-connected disability caused or contributed to the veteran's death, and denied the claim.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss and kidney disorder were not incurred in service, and his skin cancer claim was not well-grounded due to lack of evidence linking it to radiation exposure during service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder, low back disorder, kidney disorder (claimed as hematuria), prostate disorder, lung disorder, and migraine headaches. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current cardiovascular disorder, bilateral cataracts, bowel disorder, or kidney disorder to treatment by VA. The claims are therefore denied.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of a kidney disorder was denied as the evidence did not show that his condition arose in or was aggravated by military service. The RO granted service connection on November 30, 1995.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, concluding that there was no evidence to support a finding that his kidney or prostate cancer was caused by in-service radiation exposure. The appellant's claims were based on her belief that the veteran's exposure to ionizing radiation during service contributed to his subsequent development of prostate and renal cancers.

The Board has granted service connection for several conditions and assigned ratings, including a 40 percent rating for degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine effective March 8, 1995.

The Board dismissed the veteran's motion for revision of a decision based on clear and unmistakable error due to lack of compliance with requirements set forth in the regulations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that none of them were well-grounded and thus not supported by competent medical evidence.

The veteran's claim for service connection for chronic renal failure, claimed as due to Agent Orange exposure, was denied because there is no competent evidence showing a nexus between the current disability and his military service.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the veteran's evaluation from 100 percent to 30 percent, effective May 1, 1995 was proper due to his renal condition not meeting the criteria for a 100 percent rating. The current schedular criteria do not meet the requirements for a higher rating.