Kidney disease decisions — 2009

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes and its complications are denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a left knee and right foot injury, PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD (major depressive disorder), a right knee disability, and kidney cancer. The denial is based on lack of new and material evidence to reopen the claim for residuals of a left knee and right foot injury, insufficient evidence of in-service stressors for PTSD, no current right knee disability, and no link between kidney cancer and active service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of lumbar spine disability, service connection for non-calcified lesions in left lower lung, and service connection for left shoulder pain were denied. The claim for kidney stones was not addressed as it is a separate issue.

The Veteran is granted service connection for kidney stones, but denied service connection for kidney infections.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen several previously denied claims. The Veteran was informed of the bases for these denials.

The Veteran's death was not caused by VA medical treatment, and there is no additional permanent renal disability related to the exacerbation of chronic renal failure induced by over diuresis in October 2006.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The issues of service connection for various conditions and TDIU are moot.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on secondary basis to his service-connected hypertension has been dismissed due to the Veteran requesting to withdraw his appeal regarding alcoholism.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for the loss of a kidney has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a kidney disorder was denied.

The Board has determined that proper VCAA notice is required and a VA medical opinion is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's death. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a bilateral kidney condition, which he claims was caused by VA treatment. The Board has determined that additional development is necessary due to the lack of review of the entire claims file and the need for a new examination.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus with renal insufficiency is currently rated at 20 percent, and the claim for a higher rating has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and because adjudication of these claims may impact other secondary service connection claims.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current chronic right foot disability and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim.

The Board has determined that a compensable rating for the Veteran's service-connected left renal calculus is denied as there is no evidence of recurrent stone formation or other symptoms warranting a higher evaluation since December 2000.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not contribute to his cause of death, which was due to acute aspiration and end stage renal disease. The Board concluded that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's PTSD to his kidney failure.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis and low back disorders, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service. Service connection for systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) and renal failure is denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for either a right kidney condition or migraine headaches, and thus denied both claims.