Kidney disease decisions — 2005

The Board granted service connection for end stage renal disease and diabetes mellitus due to in-service herbicide exposure, but denied effective dates prior to March 16, 2001 as the claims were pending during the period when the regulation allowing such was not yet in effect.

The Board finds that the veteran does not currently have an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and his kidney disorder is not related to service. The preponderance of evidence is against both claims.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, result in total occupational and social impairment from October 1, 2004.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently have a disability resulting from perirenal hematoma. However, service connection is granted for polyarteritis nodosa as it is due to his service-connected hepatitis B.

The Board found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hepatitis C, depression, or kidney disability. The evidence was insufficient to establish a nexus between these conditions and active service.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for kidney stones, finding no direct or presumptive evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hepatitis, kidney disability, and residuals of pneumonia have all been denied as there is no evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against the veteran's claims for service connection for bladder, kidney, and prostate infections. The available records do not provide sufficient information to establish a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran requires aid and attendance of another person due to service-connected disabilities, but does not meet the criteria for SMC on account of being housebound.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and a skin disability. The decision also addressed other issues such as diabetes mellitus, hearing loss, and sleep apnea.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension, as well as his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to VA medical treatment in July and August 1989. The Board also found that he did not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a skin disorder of the groin and feet, a blood abnormality, a liver lesion, a right kidney cyst, shortness of breath, and dizziness, all claimed as undiagnosed illnesses resulting from service in the Persian Gulf War. The appeal is remanded to obtain additional evidence and provide further medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and renal cell carcinoma, as well as post-traumatic stress disorder. The veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and its related conditions, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other causative factors.

The Board has determined that the veteran's kidney stones warrant a 30 percent evaluation since March 23, 1993.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type I, hypertension, and renal disease due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any incident therein.

The Board has determined that the veteran's kidney and gall bladder disorders are not related to his service-connected hepatitis B, and thus denied both claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and a kidney disorder, finding no evidence of such conditions in service or until many years after discharge. The Board also found that there was insufficient evidence to establish secondary service connection due to diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected kidney stones warrant a 20 percent disability rating, as they do not meet criteria for an increased rating based on marked interference with employment or frequent hospitalizations.