Kidney disease decisions — 2005

The veteran's death was attributed to multiple medical conditions, and the appeal is about determining if his experiences during a shipwreck in April 1944 contributed to these causes.

The Board has found that further development is needed before a decision can be made on the merits of the claim for service connection for blood in urine and kidney condition. The case will be remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining missing medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have tinnitus as a result of service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30 percent disability rating for kidney stones was denied as there is no medical evidence demonstrating manifestations of service-connected kidney stones warranting such a rating prior to January 17, 2001.

The VA denied compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for loss of kidney function and status post stenting of the left kidney, claiming it was not due to carelessness, negligence, or error in judgment on the part of VA.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for end stage renal disease and hypertension need to be remanded due to inadequate medical opinions in the record. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's recurrent urethral strictures with resultant urinary tract infections, dysuria, and mild incontinence were aggravated by service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and addressing whether VA authorized the private hospitalization.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claims for bilateral knee disorder, hookworm infestation (claimed as a skin condition), and kidney disorder manifested by hematuria. The claim for service connection for porphyria cutanea tarda is denied. The appellant's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another person.

The Board found that the veteran's renal cell carcinoma was not incurred or aggravated by her military service and denied her claim.

The Board has ordered further development due to incomplete service and medical records, as well as missing VA and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The veteran is seeking service connection for hypertensive renal disease.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his death, and granted basic eligibility for Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (Chapter 35).

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The effective date claim was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected hypothyroidism, hypoadrenalism, and hypogonadism.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a kidney disorder, to include pyelonephritis or chronic end-stage renal disease. Therefore, service connection for a kidney disability was denied.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including heart disease, kidney disability, asthma/bronchitis, stroke residuals, cephalgia/headaches, and defective vision. The decision found no evidence of these conditions in service or due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and renal failure, finding that these conditions were not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disease or injury.

The veteran's death was caused by a myocardial infarction due to cardiomyopathy, which is service-connected. The Board found that the veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder contributed to his heart disease and death. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is granted. The appellant also meets the criteria for dependents' educational assistance under Chapter 35.

The VA physician concluded that the veteran's death was not caused or contributed by VA medical treatment, and thus denied the claim for DIC benefits.