Kidney disease decisions — 2006

The veteran's current kidney failure and anemia are not deemed to be due to VA treatment for a bladder infection in 1984, as there is no evidence of negligence or fault on the part of VA.

The Board determined that the veteran's death was not caused by a disability incurred or aggravated during his service, and therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board finds that the veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis is proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by his service-connected third degree burn scar of the left leg with pressure sore of the left heel.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for kidney and back disorders, as well as his requests for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss. The appeals were not about service connection at all.

The veteran is seeking service connection for chronic renal failure due to a non-functioning left kidney. The case has been remanded for further examination and development.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected conditions, including COPD and pulmonary fibrosis.

The Board found no current diagnoses for the claimed conditions and concluded that service connection was not established for a right kidney disorder, low blood pressure, vasomotor rhinitis, ulcers, or lupus. The veteran's claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board finds that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability. The cause of death, melanoma, bacteremia, and renal failure, were not present during his active military duty or until many years after he separated from service.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim of service connection for a kidney disorder due to new and material evidence. However, the claim is still denied as there is no evidence showing that the kidney disorder or renal cell carcinoma had its onset during service.

The Board has ordered additional development due to incomplete medical records and the need for an etiological opinion regarding the veteran's probable asbestos exposure in service. The appellant seeks service connection for the cause of her husband's death, which may be related to his exposure to asbestos.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including eye disorder, kidney disorder, stomach disorder, deformed fingers and toes, and degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbosacral spine. The decisions were based on a finding that there was no medical evidence to support these claims.

The veteran's cause of death was listed as end stage senile dementia, which is not service-connected. The Board found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including arthritis of multiple joints, hypertension and heart disease, fever blisters, loss of vision, and a kidney disorder (including hematuria), as they were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's kidney disorder, including his kidney transplant, is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a kidney condition, high blood pressure, migraine headaches, gout, and a back condition. The veteran did not meet the basic eligibility requirements for nonservice-connected pension benefits due to his short period of active duty.

The veteran's claims for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease and kidney disorder, both claimed as due to exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange), are being remanded by the Board. The RO must ensure compliance with VCAA notice requirements and schedule the veteran for a videoconference hearing in Washington, DC.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right kidney disability, including renal tuberculosis and nephrectomy residuals, is not due to any disease or injury incurred in service. The VA medical specialist found no credible basis for linking the veteran's condition to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen claims for heart disease, renal cancer, and hearing loss. However, new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim of service connection for hearing loss. The underlying service connection claim is denied as the preponderance of the evidence is against it.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disability does not preclude substantially gainful employment, and therefore denied his claim for TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death due to service-connected anxiety aggravating the veteran's heart condition, which led to his death. The appellant is also eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance.