Kidney disease decisions — 2009

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death. The Board found that the conditions causing his death were not related to his service-connected right thigh gunshot wound and cold injuries, nor did they meet the criteria for direct or presumptive service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of kidney stones and thus denied his claim for service connection. His claim for diabetes mellitus as a result of herbicide exposure is pending in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's kidney disorder (kidney stones) was incurred in service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is also granted as a direct result of service.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death, arteriosclerotic heart disease, was not caused by or related to his service or a service-connected disability. The claim for service connection for the cause of death is denied.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred from February 20, 2004 to February 24, 2004 was denied by the VA Medical Center in Gainesville, Florida.

The Board found that the Veteran's renal failure was not caused by VA care, but rather due to his long-standing severe hypertension. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied.

The Board has ordered a remand for further development, including obtaining a supplemental medical opinion from the Veteran's private physician. The appeal is currently in process and will be reconsidered based on all available evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for reopening his service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and end stage renal disease, to include as secondary to exposure to herbicide agents. The evidence submitted was found not to be new or material.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus type 2 and its secondary effects on other conditions, were denied as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further verification of the Veteran's exposure to Vietnam and Thailand, as well as a review of service records. The appellant will be provided with an opportunity to respond to the supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has denied the appellant's application to reopen her claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by any condition related to his military service, including exposure to radiation during Operation Crossroads. The cause of death was attributed to prostate cancer.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diabetes mellitus, kidney stones, respiratory disability, acquired psychiatric disability, and hypertension are not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran seeks service connection for adrenal myelodystrophy, which the Board has remanded due to incomplete medical records and need for further development.

The Veteran seeks compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for kidney damage he contends is related to antibiotic therapy in 2001. The appeal must be remanded due to unclear evidence regarding current disability and its relation to the treatment.

The Veteran's appeal for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for kidney failure as caused by medication prescribed by VA has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic kidney disease and renal failure were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records from Johns Hopkins Hospital and other providers.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have chronic renal failure and denied his claim for service connection for chronic renal failure as secondary to lithium use for PTSD.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a kidney disorder. The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to determine if his current kidney disorder and sinus and breathing problems are related to his period of active service.