Kidney disease decisions — 2004

The Board found that the veteran's arrested tuberculosis of the right kidney is currently asymptomatic and has no current disability, thus denying a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension with renal disease, which was previously denied in December 1988.

The veteran's claim for service connection for cancer of the kidney is being remanded due to incomplete medical records and a need for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death (renal failure due to diabetes) was not service-connected. The conditions were first manifested years after service and there is no medical evidence linking them to service.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for entitlement to separate evaluations for renal disease, diabetic retinopathy, and diabetic neuropathy, secondary to diabetes mellitus, as well as for an increased rating for PTSD. As a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder disorder and kidney disorder are not service-connected as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The veteran's claims for kidney stones and jaundice were denied, and his attempts to reopen the claims for residuals of a right hand burn and heat stroke have been unsuccessful.

The Board has determined that the service-connected diabetes mellitus contributed substantially to the veteran's death, and thus grants service connection for the cause of his death.

The veteran's kidney and urinary bladder cancer are being reviewed for service connection due to exposure to ionizing radiation, but additional development is needed as the dose estimates must be recalculated.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for left nephrectomy is being remanded due to the need for compliance with VCAA notice and duty to assist provisions.

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

The veteran's claims for residuals of a head injury, asthma, and kidney disease were denied as there is no evidence of current disability. The claim for liver disease was denied by operation of law due to the veteran's abuse of alcohol.,There is no evidence of current asthma or other pulmonary disorder, nor any residual effects from a head injury incurred in service.

The veteran's kidney disorder was granted service connection for accrued benefits purposes, with an 80 percent rating effective from August 8, 1988.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete Social Security Administration records and other procedural issues.

The Board has granted service connection for cold injury residuals in both the left and right lower extremities, with initial evaluations of 20 percent each. The kidney disorder claim was denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for enhanced DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1311(a)(2) because there was no evidence showing that the veteran had a service-connected disability rated as 100% disabling for at least eight years immediately preceding his death.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person is remanded due to insufficient medical evidence regarding his daily needs. The VA will arrange for a VA examination to determine if he requires assistance in performing daily needs.

The veteran's arthritis of the hands was not present in service or within one year thereafter, and there is no evidence linking it to his active duty. The kidney disability claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis. Hepatitis C was diagnosed based on positive blood tests but without a clear link to service. Liver disability is also denied due to lack of current diagnosis.,The veteran's kidney disability has not been shown to be related to service, and the liver disability is not currently present or linked to his hepatitis C.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and found that the veteran's current low back disorder is related to his military service. The right renal calculus issue remains unresolved.