Kidney disease decisions — 2007

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking his fatal heart and kidney conditions to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for a genitourinary disorder, claimed as a kidney condition. However, the claim was denied on the merits because there is no evidence that the current chronic kidney failure began during military service or is otherwise attributable to service.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for initial consideration of additional evidence, including VA treatment records from April 2001 to July 2005. The veteran was not provided with a waiver of AOJ review prior to appellate review.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to cardiovascular/renal disease, finding no evidence that a service-connected disability caused or contributed substantially to his death.,Additional burial benefits were not granted as the appellant was already provided funeral and burial expenses based on her husband's nonservice-connected death.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Baxter Regional Medical Center from June 12, 2003 to June 14, 2003 were granted as the VA facility was not feasibly available and an attempt to use them before hand would not have been considered reasonable by a prudent lay person.

The Board denied service connection for colon and renal cancer claimed due to exposure to Agent Orange, as there is no evidence linking these cancers to active service or to a service-connected disability. The claim was also denied for increased ratings for the veteran's left and right knees.

The veteran's renal parenchymal disease, left, status post surgery of left ureter and kidney is rated at 60 percent. The other issues are not granted.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records of relevant treatment. The issues include seeking a higher disability rating for his G6PD deficiency condition and determining appropriate effective dates for service connection and TDIU.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for liver and kidney disorders, finding no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service or to his service-connected right knee disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran's kidney donation during active duty for training (ADT) may be considered a line of duty injury, and he is granted service connection for residuals of left nephrectomy. The other claims are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of impotence, back disorder with arthritic changes, or kidney disorder. The evidence does not support service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a diagnosed kidney disorder and there is no evidence of an underlying disease or injury causing hematuria. The veteran's malaria symptoms are currently non-compensable as there is no current active disease.

The Board denied the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that hypertension did not cause or substantially contribute to the cause of death.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development related to exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches, joint pain, and kidney stones due to radiation exposure as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and its complications, as these were not shown to be related to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's death to service, and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability.,Basic eligibility requirements for dependents' educational assistance under Chapter 35 were not met.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service personnel records and a VA medical opinion regarding whether the veteran's death was related to his military service, particularly his presumed exposure to Agent Orange.