Kidney disease decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals for all issues except PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for either automobile and adaptive equipment or specially adapted housing assistance.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and to consider all applicable laws and regulations.

The appellant's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating by reason of individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding her employment status and functional impairment caused by her service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to metastatic renal cell cancer, finding that there was no evidence linking this condition to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's gastrointestinal tract problems, esophageal dysmotility, low back pain and degenerative joint disease, neck pain and degenerative joint disease, muscle pain and weakness, gall bladder condition, and right kidney cyst did not manifest during or as a result of active military service. The claims were denied because there was no evidence to support the Veteran's contention that these conditions are secondary to any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for the cause of death. The opinion provided by VA does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine the cause of the Veteran's death, including reviewing medical records from Compass Hospital of San Antonio and obtaining a new opinion regarding the relationship between his service-connected conditions and his death.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development, including a VA examination and readjudication of the Veteran's claim for service connection for renal cancer due to exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for kidney disorder and service connection for hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues except kidney disorder and bilateral hand disorder is withdrawn. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a bilateral hand disorder or kidney disorder related to his military service.

The Veteran's kidney stones and liver disorder are being remanded for further examination to determine their relationship to service.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence of a current right hip disability, allergic rhinitis, or nephrolithiasis (kidney stones) for which service connection can be granted.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and renal insufficiency are all found to be related to his service-connected Agent Orange exposure. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and providing a new VA examination. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for kidney stones remains pending.

The Board found that the evidence submitted did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim for service connection for cause of death, as it was previously denied due to lack of service-connected conditions and insufficient medical records. The Veteran's cause of death was attributed to renal failure caused by sepsis related to multiple myeloma.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to service, including exposure to ionizing radiation. Service connection was denied for a diminished immune system, kidney disorder, and stomach disorder.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred from October 29, 2007 to November 6, 2007 at St. Luke Hospital East was denied because the claims were not filed within the required time frame and additional evidence was not provided in a timely manner.

The Board found that hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not related to a service-connected disability. The issue of kidney stones remains pending as the evidence is insufficient to determine its relationship to service.