Kidney disease decisions — 2010

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for eye disorder, kidney disorder, upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, diabetes mellitus type II, and heart disorder (coronary artery disease).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including type II diabetes mellitus and heart disability, were denied as the evidence did not show a link to his military service or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral eye disorder and kidney disorder are remanded due to the absence of a statement of the case on these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's medical condition was emergent at the time of his admission to North Bay Hospital, and he is entitled to payment or reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred from December 24, 2005, to January 4, 2006.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and the criteria for DIC based on service connection for cause of death are not met. The appellant's claim for recognition as a former POW is denied due to lack of supporting evidence from the service department.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus with end stage renal disease, diabetic retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy, diabetic gastroparesis, and coronary artery disease was denied because there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his active military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues not being considered on all bases for service connection, including direct and secondary.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic GERD, kidney disorder, sinus disorder, right elbow disorder, sleep apnea, and left ankle disorder are all granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, as there is no evidence of heart disease or any other acquired psychiatric condition in service. The cause of death listed on his death certificate was congestive cardiac failure due to ischemic cardiomyopathy and renal failure.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions were not related to his military service and denied all of his claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions are not shown to be related to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted restoration of service connection for renal dysfunction and episodes of congestive heart failure with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis and erectile dysfunction as secondary to service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's kidney disability is not proximately due to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on the part of VA in providing a prescription for osteoarthritis medication.

The Board found that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim for service connection. The kidney disability claim was also denied as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability manifested by nosebleeds, genitourinary disorder, or headaches that is related to service. The Veteran's claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran's kidney disability is not service-connected, and the cause of death (cardiorespiratory arrest) was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected condition. The appellant does not have qualifying service for VA pension benefits.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as he did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU prior to February 13, 2008 due to his service-connected disabilities. The effective date of the award is set at February 13, 2008.

The Veteran's chronic kidney disease has been rated at 60 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant is granted due to his service-connected disabilities, including diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity which precludes locomotion without assistive devices.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for various conditions allegedly resulting from VA treatment for Hodgkin's disease beginning in January 2004.