Kidney disease decisions — 2009

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a kidney disorder and to reopen his claim of service connection for COPD, finding that there was no current diagnosed disability and insufficient evidence linking any claimed conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations conducted are inadequate and requires further development of evidence, including obtaining medical records from various sources and conducting new VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his death, which was caused by cardiac ischemia. The Board found that the PTSD aggravated his pre-existing medical conditions and ultimately led to his death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his claimed conditions are related to his active duty or to any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's kidney disease was not found to be related to his military service, including malaria and treatment with quinine.

The Veteran's death is being reviewed for service connection, DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, and DEA under 38 U.S.C.A., Chapter 35.

The Veteran's left renal cell carcinoma was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor may it be presumed to have resulted from exposure to herbicide agents. The Board denied the claim for PTSD as there is no evidence of a verified stressor and the current diagnosis does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to assess the severity of the appellant's service-connected disabilities and his need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current chronic kidney disease is at least as likely as not caused by her service-connected knee disabilities, specifically the adverse reaction to aspirin taken for pain in those knees. The decision grants service connection on a secondary basis.

The Board found that the cause of the Veteran's death (asystole due to congestive heart failure) did not develop during his active service and was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability. The Veteran had been service-connected for PTSD, but this condition was not considered the principal or contributory cause of death.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause his death and played no substantial or material part in it, leading to a denial of the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and renal disease associated with diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure or a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim for payment of unauthorized medical treatment provided at St. Mary's Medical Center from February 24, 2007, to March 21, 2007, should be granted due to the recent amendments to section 1725 of the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2008.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for renal tuberculosis and hypertension have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current symptomatology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a kidney disorder, including as due to exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange), is being remanded for further development and examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA medical records and provide proper VCAA notice.

The Veteran's current bilateral polycystic kidney disease was not present in service or for a number of years thereafter, and is not etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's microvascular renal disease, associated with his diabetes mellitus, is currently rated as noncompensable under the Rating Schedule. The evidence does not support a compensable rating based on albumin or hypertension.

The Veteran's kidney cancer and renal insufficiency were not shown to be related to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, thus denying the claim for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and other pertinent medical records.