Kidney disease decisions — 2002

The VA denied an increased evaluation for recurrent renal stones with a left renal cyst, as the disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either the old or new rating criteria.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death, torsades de pointes due to or as a consequence of heart disease-coronary artery disease, was not caused by or related to his service-connected disabilities. The Board also determined that there was no evidence linking the cardiovascular-renal disease to any service-connected condition.

The veteran's initial disability rating for renal insufficiency due to hypertension, with a history of hypertensive heart disease was granted at 60 percent. The other two issues were denied.

The veteran's multiple diseases and disabilities, including AIDS, kidney disease, hypertension, and PTSD, taken together, preclude substantially gainful employment. The Board grants nonservice-connected disability pension benefits.

The Board finds no clear and unmistakable error in the May 1970 rating decision that denied service connection for kidney stones.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that his death was not related to any injury or disease incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and kidney disorder were denied as there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or manifesting within one year after service, and the Board found that any preexisting conditions did not worsen during service.

The Board denied service connection for a cyst on the right kidney with hematuria, finding no new and material evidence since the previous denial in November 1994.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities, as well as his residual stab wound scar in the area of the left kidney and lumbosacral strain. The RO subsequently granted these claims with no percent ratings effective from June 1996.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed eye, kidney, stomach, and deformities of fingers/toes disorders were not incurred or aggravated during active service, nor are any of these conditions proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including cirrhosis of the liver, colitis, kidney stones, a heart condition, scrotal cyst with circumcision, fungus of the feet, and migraine headaches, as they are not shown to have been present in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death due to metastatic renal cell cancer, finding that it was not caused by any disease or injury incurred in or aggravated during his period of active service. The Board also noted that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure and that the veteran did not serve in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board denied service connection for kidney stones, headaches, a deviated nasal septum, residuals of a fracture of the 1st metatarsal of the right foot, and residuals of right eye trauma. The veteran's conditions are considered to be directly related to his active service.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death due to lack of a valid designation of representative and incomplete medical records. The veteran died from multiple underlying conditions, but there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not proximately due to a service-connected disability.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and found that his death was not caused by a service-connected disability. The appellant's income exceeded the maximum annual income limitations, thus denying her entitlement to improved death pension.

The Board found that the veteran did not have hepatitis, gallbladder disorder, bowel disorder, or kidney disorder as a result of service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed upper abdominal disorder, esophageal disorder, kidney disorder, weight loss, and skin disorder/chloracne as secondary to Agent Orange exposure.