Kidney disease decisions — 2007

The veteran's claims for disability benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records of VA treatment and providing a medical opinion.

The VA determined that the veteran's residuals of a prescription drug reaction were not due to VA medical fault or unforeseeable events, and thus denied his claim.

The Board found that the cause of the veteran's death, glomerulonephritis and renal failure, was not related to his service-connected hepatic dysfunction. The medical evidence did not support a connection between the veteran's service and these conditions.

The Board has determined that the reduction in evaluation from 30 percent to zero percent disabling for kidney stones was improper. The veteran's GERD, headaches, Raynaud's syndrome, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and dermatophytosis of the hands and subungual tinea of the right ring finger were not granted higher initial evaluations.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to metastatic renal cell cancer, which was not shown to be incurred in or aggravated by service. The veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was also not found to have contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for nonservice-connected pension was denied as there is no evidence of permanent and total disability prior to April 9, 2004.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly assess the severity of the veteran's service-connected diabetes and to determine the nature and etiology of several other claimed disabilities. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted sufficient to reopen the veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for a kidney disability. The Board then remanded this issue, but ultimately denied service connection for a kidney disability.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death, metastatic renal cell cancer and cardiopulmonary disorder (other than respiratory cancer), was not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The veteran seeks service connection for chronic hypertension, early stage kidney disorder, and early stage neuropathy as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Board finds that a new examination is needed to clarify the diagnoses and etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a kidney condition, diabetes mellitus, type II, and left knee strain due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran is seeking service connection for clear cell carcinoma of the kidney, which he claims was caused by exposure to herbicides during his military service. The VA has ordered a medical examination and opinion regarding this claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for heart disorder, glaucoma, back disorder, and kidney disorder, all of which were found to be not incurred or aggravated during his active duty service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for scoliosis of the spine, left kidney disorder, and bilateral pes planus. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection for various conditions, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a hypoplastic left kidney. The June 1987 denial of this claim remains final.

The veteran's hypertension is etiologically related to service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The adrenal gland tumor claim was not addressed as it does not appear to be a service connection issue based on exposure to ionizing radiation or other presumptive conditions.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claim for service connection for renal cysts, claimed as a kidney condition can be adjudicated. The RO must obtain medical records from the Richwood Area Community Hospital and any other relevant private or VA treatment records since July 2003 and September 2005. Additionally, the veteran should be afforded an examination to determine if his current renal cysts are related to service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the eligibility criteria for financial assistance in acquiring an automobile or other conveyance, nor specially adapted housing or a home adaptation grant.