Kidney disease decisions — 2002

The Board has determined 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 the veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a disorder of the genitourinary system, including chronic kidney stones. The evidence does not establish that any such condition had its onset in service or is related to active service.

The Board found that the veteran did not incur additional disability secondary to his rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure, which occurred in March 1994. The error was committed when VA increased the dosage of Lopid without determining the need for a lipid profile.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that the conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by active service and did not contribute substantially to his death.

The veteran's claim for accrued benefits based on a service connection for kidney disability was denied because the application was not filed within one year after his death.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by hospital care, or surgical or medical treatment furnished by VA. Therefore, DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 were denied.

The Board found that the veteran's end-stage renal disease was not incurred in or aggravated by service, may not be presumed to have been incurred in service, and is not shown to be proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a kidney disorder secondary to hypertension and for an increased evaluation for his hypertension. The initial 10 percent evaluation for lumbosacral strain remains in place.

The case is being remanded for additional development as the appellant's medical records are incomplete and a VA examination is needed to determine the nature of his kidney disorders and their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and polycystic kidney disease, both found to be related to the veteran's hypertension.

The veteran's death was caused by cardiopulmonary arrest due to end stage cardiomyopathy, which is service-connected. The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the veteran's service-connected conditions contributed to his death or resulted in debilitating effects.