Kidney disease decisions — 2007

The veteran is seeking service connection for a chronic kidney disorder (classified as renal disease) that he claims is secondary to his service-connected hydronephrosis. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and VCAA compliance.

The veteran's service-connected renal disability was reduced from a 100 percent rating to a 60 percent rating. The RO has ordered the case remanded for additional development, including obtaining outstanding records and arranging for a VA examination.

The veteran's hypertension and cardiovascular disease are service-connected. Service connection for hepatitis was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for abnormal blood (hypertriglyceridemia) is also denied as it does not constitute a disability. Service connection for a psychiatric disorder secondary to diabetes mellitus is granted, but chronic renal insufficiency remains unestablished.

The Board has determined that there is sufficient evidence to grant service connection for calculus of the kidney and renal insufficiency, finding it related to service. The veteran was provided a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran should be afforded a VA examination to determine whether he has a kidney disability related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The case will then be reviewed again to determine if the claim can be granted.

The Board finds that the veteran's polycystic kidney disease, which contributed to his death in May 2002, was incurred during his period of active service. The cause of death - arteriosclerotic heart disease, chronic renal failure, and hypertension - is also found to be related to his service-connected conditions.

The veteran claims service connection for amyloidosis, which developed following kidney transplant. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an opinion from a VA specialist regarding the relationship between amyloidosis and exposure to Agent Orange during military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing service medical records and attempts to locate post-service treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to lack of evidence linking his end stage renal disease to service or a service-connected condition.,DIC benefits were also denied as the veteran was not continuously rated totally disabled for ten years immediately preceding his death.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the previously denied claims for hepatitis C, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, renal disease, and eye disorder.

The veteran seeks a higher disability rating for diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine the severity of his diabetes and any associated complications.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic renal failure, right hip disability, and right knee disability. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board found no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides, and the veteran's diabetes mellitus was not shown within one year after service. The claims for eye disability, kidney disease, and hepatitis C were also denied as there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board determined that the veteran's cause of death, congestive heart failure, was not caused by or a result of any service-connected disability. The service-connected conditions did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for renal disease, hypertension, coronary artery disease, reflux disease, and arthritis (except of the left leg) due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder, bilateral knee disorders, and kidney/bladder disorders are all attributable to service. The veteran's teeth extraction is not considered service-connected.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed in-service stressors. Service connection was also denied for jungle rot and erectile dysfunction.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, congestive heart failure, and kidney failure with dialysis due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a right kidney disorder and migraine headaches was not addressed. The veteran's claims for increased ratings were granted with specific effective dates.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 due to a lack of evidence linking the veteran's fatal renal disease, aortic stenosis or ischemic cardiomyopathy to his active service.