Kidney disease decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn and thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a kidney disorder with hypertension and stomach condition, finding that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the previously denied claim.

The Veteran's death was not caused or substantially contributed to by a service-connected disability. The cause of death, carcinoma of unknown primary site (poorly differentiated papillary carcinoma), was not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, hypertension, and kidney failure as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus contributed to his development of peripheral vascular disease/carotid artery disease, hypertension, and residuals of a cerebrovascular accident (CVA). As such, these conditions are granted as secondary to the service-connected diabetes.

The Board has found that the Veteran's PTSD is related to service and grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another person or being housebound is remanded due to the need for current evaluations of his disabilities.

The Veteran's disability rating for service-connected kidney stones was reduced from 20 percent to 10 percent, but this reduction is not in accordance with the applicable regulations and therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's current kidney disability was not shown to be related to his military service, and the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of his kidney disability and hypertension. The Veteran served in active duty from July 1967 to June 1969, during which he was struck by lightning.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, renal disability, cardiac disability, and low back disability as secondary to his service-connected histoplasmosis of the lung.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete development of his claims, particularly regarding the nature and etiology of his hepatitis C.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not submit a timely substantive appeal with regard to his claims for service connection for various conditions. The RO denied these claims in April 2006, and the Veteran was notified of this decision on April 24, 2006.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's lung and kidney disorders are being remanded for additional development to determine if they are related to asbestos exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and personnel records. The appellant's claim for DIC benefits is also being addressed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining records from USAMRIID and providing VCAA compliant notice regarding secondary service connection.