Kidney disease decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that there is no relationship between the Veteran's claimed conditions and his military service, thus denying all of his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred from March 31, 2008 until April 1, 2008 were denied as the condition had stabilized and transfer to a VA facility was possible.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim for service connection for residuals of hepatitis. However, after reviewing all available evidence, including VA treatment records, private medical records, and the Veteran's statements, the Board finds that none of the conditions claimed are related to active service or can be presumed due to exposure to certain hazards. Therefore, the claims for service connection for these conditions have been denied.

The Board determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and therefore denied claims for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Veteran's condition deteriorated significantly after August 9, 2007, and VA facilities were not feasibly available for transfer. The medical care provided from August 10 to August 29 was deemed unnecessary due to the deterioration.

The Board has granted service connection for renal insufficiency as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for kidney and liver disorders as due to an undiagnosed illness of the kidney and liver, and for asthma. The Veteran's elevated liver enzymes and creatinine levels are considered a manifestation of an undiagnosed illness, while his current diagnosis of asthma is also attributed to this same condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for hypertension and residuals of a genitourinary infection. The claim for service connection for end-stage renal disease was not addressed as it is considered separately.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current diabetes or end stage renal disease, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to service. The appeal was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for kidney stones and stomach ulcers/gastritis, finding that he did not have these conditions during or within one year after his military service. The evidence showed diagnoses of gallstones rather than kidney stones and no in-service diagnosis of kidney stones.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death was not related to any service-connected disability, and denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death, concluding that there was no evidence showing that the Veteran had COPD or renal disease during service and that his service-connected right knee disability did not contribute to his death.

The Veteran's cardiac valvular disease, manifested by tricuspid regurgitation, is found to be secondary to her service-connected hypertension. Service connection for bilateral knee disorders and diverticulitis with pelvic adhesions are granted.

The Veteran's cause of death is alleged to be related to his service in the Republic of Vietnam, specifically due to presumed herbicide exposure. The appeal involves claims for accrued benefits and DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board found no evidence of a currently diagnosed chronic kidney disorder and determined that the Veteran's statements regarding his symptoms do not constitute competent medical evidence. As such, service connection for a kidney disorder is denied.

The Veteran's prostate disorder and renal cell cancer were not found to be service-connected due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to his military service, particularly given the long period between discharge and diagnosis.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability rating, service connection for carcinoma of the tongue and renal lithiasis were denied. The claim for liver lesion was not incurred in active service.

The Veteran's previous denial of service connection for kidney disease was upheld due to the lack of current evidence. The new evidence submitted does not establish a current disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for GERD, a disability manifested by liver and spleen enlargement, including as due to his service-connected PTSD, and a disability manifested by dizziness and vertigo, including as secondary to service-connected disabilities.