Kidney disease decisions — 2005

The veteran died of MRSA pneumonia due to multisystem organ failure and acute viral hepatitis. The Board found that the cause of death was not service-connected.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a kidney disability, increased evaluations for his lumbar spine and femur fractures, and a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of a kidney disorder related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic renal failure as secondary to the veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, but concluded that there was no competent evidence linking the cause of his death to military service.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected post-traumatic personality changes did not cause or contribute to his death, and thus denied service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a kidney disorder and granted service connection for residuals of shrapnel wounds to the right knee and chest. The veteran's current conditions are rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining the veteran's service medical records and readjudicating the issue of entitlement to service connection for kidney failure.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause or materially contribute to his death, and thus denied both the claim for service connection for the cause of death and the DIC claim.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient medical evidence to determine whether the veteran's diabetes and/or coronary artery disease contributed substantially or materially to his death from liver disease. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board found that the veteran's cryoglobulinemia with renal insufficiency (nephritis) was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not otherwise be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to benefits pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for heart disease and hypertension as a result of treatment with Darvon at VA medical facility in July 1970, and for additional disability involving kidney disorder due to VA treatment between 1992 and 1995. The Board found that the veteran's conditions were not related to the alleged exposure or treatment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing the veteran with VA examinations to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of his kidney disorder and back disability. The claims will be re-adjudicated after this additional development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for renal calculi and a compensable rating for GERD. The veteran was granted service connection for GERD, but with a non-compensable rating.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding no evidence linking his death to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and left adrenalectomy residuals, as well as his increased rating for PTSD and separate compensable disability rating for erectile dysfunction. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for diabetes mellitus are REMANDED.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen claims for service connection for a urinary tract/kidney disorder, pulmonary tuberculosis, gastric ulcer, dysentery, or malaria. The claim for an increased rating for malaria was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's kidney cancer, which contributed to his death, was presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to ionizing radiation during nuclear testing. As a result, service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is granted.

The Board found no current disability of the kidneys or bowels and concluded that there is insufficient evidence to link any identified bowel or kidney issues to VA treatment. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was denied.

The veteran died of lung cancer, which was not service-connected. The Board denied DIC benefits under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The veteran's GBS and congenital horseshoe kidney residuals were granted initial compensable ratings, with the effective dates being determined based on the specific issues.