Kidney disease decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating and earlier effective dates, finding that the reduction in evaluation from 100% to 30% was proper.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for herpes, PTSD, a skin disorder described as 'white spots' (presumed to be related to Agent Orange exposure), and a left kidney disorder (also presumed to be related to Agent Orange exposure).

The veteran's diabetes mellitus, with associated complications including chronic renal failure and hypertension, is currently rated at 20 percent. A separate compensable rating for chronic renal failure has not been granted.

The Board found that the cause of death was not service-connected, and denied both claims for service connection for the cause of death and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance.

The veteran seeks payment for medical expenses incurred at the ECMC on January 16, 2004. The Board finds that VA facilities were not feasibly available to provide the care he needed and remands the case for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of both knees and arteriosclerotic coronary artery disease, status-post myocardial infarction with coronary artery bypass grafting. Service connection was denied for hiatal hernia with reflux and renal cyst of the left kidney.

The veteran's kidney disorder is manifested by the need for regular dialysis, warranting a 100 percent rating.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and his total rating for compensation purposes did not meet the required duration to establish entitlement to DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board finds that the veteran's renal disease is not related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a causal connection between the veteran's death and his service or any service-connected disability, including exposure to herbicides. The cause of death was listed as lung metastases of renal cell carcinoma, which is not associated with presumptive service connection for herbicide exposure.

The veteran's combined service-connected disability rating is 50 percent, which does not meet the requirements for a TDIU. The Board determined that he is not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found no competent evidence linking the veteran's diagnosed conditions to his chemical exposure during service. The case is being remanded for further development of records from the VA medical center in Dallas, Texas.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD did not cause or contribute to his death, and therefore burial benefits based on service-connected death are denied.

The veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for bladder and kidney infections with spasms allegedly resulting from VA treatment in October 1996. The case is being remanded to obtain necessary medical opinions and evidence.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, including the issue of a higher rating prior to November 29, 2002, is denied.,Service connection for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus and service connection for a kidney condition as secondary to diabetes mellitus are both denied.,Service connection for an eye disability and a back disability are both denied.,The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, including the issue of a higher rating prior to November 29, 2002, is denied.,Service connection for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus and service connection for a kidney condition as secondary to diabetes mellitus are both denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for verification of an in-service stressor and additional VA medical records.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not contribute to his death, and thus denied entitlement to service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board denied all service connection claims, finding that the veteran's conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active service and did not have a nexus to any service-connected disability.

The Board found that the appellant's kidney disorder is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim.