Kidney disease decisions — 2006

The Board found that the cause of the veteran's death was not related to his military service and denied entitlement to improved pension benefits due to the appellant's income exceeding the maximum limit.

The veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is being remanded due to incomplete evidence and the need for a medical opinion regarding the timing of his treatment.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bipolar disorder and chronic kidney insufficiency are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred on September 16, 2003 at Massena Memorial Hospital was denied as he did not meet the eligibility criteria under VA regulations.

The veteran's Crohn's disease with partial small bowel resection and nephrolithiasis were not found to warrant evaluations in excess of the currently assigned ratings.

The veteran's hepatitis claim was denied, but he received a 100% evaluation for his service-connected orthotopic cardiac transplantation with cardiomyopathy and renal insufficiency.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses from treatment initiated on July 22, 2003, at the John C. Lincoln Hospital due to the VA facilities not being feasibly available.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of ureterolithiasis, degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, and medial meniscus tear have been denied as there is no evidence to support a higher rating based on current disability levels.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a kidney disability, and gout, finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's fatal renal cell carcinoma was not caused by his military service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding that the veteran's kidney cancer was caused by his exposure to herbicides in service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, asbestos exposure, and radiation exposure. The veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service or any in-service exposures.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for kidney stones, residuals of a fracture of the 1st metatarsal of the right foot, residuals of right eye trauma, and glaucoma.

The Board denied a compensable disability evaluation for the veteran's renal insufficiency, finding that no evidence met the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7535.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development, including verification of in-service stressors and medical opinions regarding the etiology of his disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran meets the criteria for special monthly compensation based on needing regular aid and attendance of another person or being housebound due to his service-connected disabilities, including heart transplant, osteoporosis, and kidney stones.

The Board has denied the claim for an increased evaluation for hypertension, currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of carcinoma of the left kidney status post nephrectomy were not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board found no evidence of service-connected disabilities that caused or contributed to the veteran's death. The cause of death was attributed to congestive heart failure, hypertension, and renal insufficiency.