Kidney disease decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a kidney condition, liver cancer, right hip disorder, and right shoulder disorder were denied. The claim for increased evaluations of hepatitis C and splenectomy residuals was also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection as it is related to combat experiences in Vietnam. Service connection for a skin disorder and kidney tumor, both claimed due to herbicide exposure, are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetic neuropathy of the left upper extremity is granted. Service connection for kidney failure and back neuropathy are not established, but service connection for loss of balance is denied. The Veteran's service-connected diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities results in moderate impairment prior to January 9, 2007, and severe impairment from that date forward.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for chronic kidney failure, finding that there is no competent medical evidence linking the condition to his active duty for training.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hematuria, bladder disorder, liver disorder, cystic kidneys, prostate cancer, and bilateral posterior subcapsular cataracts are all granted. The Veteran is presumed to have been sound at the time of entry into active duty.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for kidney disease as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus due to a lack of current medical evidence supporting this condition.

The veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder, secondary to service-connected renal insufficiency, is currently rated at 30 percent. The appeal was granted as the Veteran's claim for an increased rating.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and he did not meet the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Veteran received emergency medical care at a private hospital from June 27, 2008 to July 1, 2008. The condition was stable enough for transfer to the VA medical system on July 1, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, arthritis, and lupus, were denied as secondary to his service-connected Raynaud's disease. The Board found no evidence of herbicide or ionizing radiation exposure during service, nor did the medical evidence support a finding that any of these conditions are related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's loss of a kidney is not related to his service or service-connected conditions, and denied the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The issues include seeking increased ratings and service connection for various conditions secondary to his right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain medical records from the Barstow Home and High Desert Medical Center, and for a VA examination of his left ankle disorder. The case will be readjudicated based on the new evidence.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including Wegener's granulomatosis and its related symptoms. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's renal tubular disorders and a disability manifested by concentration and memory loss were not incurred or aggravated as a result of his service. The evidence did not show any significant connection between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has found that the medical evidence does not preponderate against the appellant's claim to DIC benefits, and thus the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 have been met.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's hypertension or renal insufficiency to his active duty service, and specifically finds that these conditions are not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. As such, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board found that the service-connected prostate cancer did not cause or contribute to the Veteran's death from metastatic colon cancer and renal insufficiency. The claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death was denied.