Kidney disease decisions — 2005

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.

The veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including connective tissue disease/lupus and Raynaud's disease, as secondary to radiation exposure. The RO has scheduled a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic urethritis and kidney stones, finding that there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by improper treatment or an event not reasonably foreseeable during his care at a VA facility, and denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for scoliosis, a kidney disorder (including Bright's disease), and degenerative disc disease and bone spurs as they were not incurred or aggravated in active military service.

The veteran's death was caused by his service-connected post traumatic encephalopathy with organic mood disorder, which contributed to the development of Alzheimer's disease. The lung cancer and renal cell carcinoma were also present but did not contribute substantially or materially to cause or hasten the veteran's death.

The Board has denied service connection for kidney and prostate disorders, finding no evidence of a direct relationship to service or service-connected conditions. The veteran's claims are also not supported by secondary service connection as the current disabilities do not appear related to his service-connected psychoneurosis.

The Board granted service connection for renal insufficiency as secondary to the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, effective from August 28, 2000. The issue of a higher rating for renal disability remains pending.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected PTSD did not cause or contribute to his death from coronary artery disease, COPD, and renal failure. The DIC claim was also denied as the veteran was not rated as totally disabled for at least ten years immediately preceding his death.

The veteran's death was ruled as kidney cancer, and the appeal is about determining if this condition is related to his service exposure to Agent Orange. The claim will be remanded for further review of new evidence.

The Board denied an increased disability rating in excess of 80 percent for the veteran's service-connected renal disease due to systemic lupus erythematosus, status post kidney transplant.

The Board has remanded the case for further evaluation of the veteran's diabetes mellitus and its complications, including scheduling a fee-basis examination by an endocrinologist.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and circulatory disorders, all claimed as due to herbicide exposure. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service exposure or a link between any condition and service.

The Board has ordered additional development due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the cause of death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected conditions, including his kidney stones and respiratory issues, contributed to his death from acute respiratory arrest. The cause of death was listed as chronic obstructive lung disease with significant contributors being recurrent urinary tract infections and cerebrovascular accidents.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current kidney disability and denied his claim for service connection for a kidney disability as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The issue of PTSD is addressed in the REMAND section.

The Board has determined that the veteran had service connection for a kidney disorder and bladder disorder, which were granted as direct service connection based on evidence in the claims file at the time of his death.

The Board denied the appellant's claim to reopen her service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims of service connection for a back disorder and a kidney disorder. The claim for an increased rating for generalized anxiety disorder is also denied.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to metastatic carcinoma of the kidney, which was not shown to be related to military service or exposure to Agent Orange. The claim is also denied under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 as the veteran did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits.