Kidney disease decisions — 2011

The Veteran's service-connected chronic renal failure and thrombocytopenia have been rated at the maximum disability rating of 80 percent since January 1, 2006.

The Veteran claims service connection for renal failure, which he contends is related to his in-service traumatic brain injury. The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's kidney condition and whether it is aggravated by his service-connected organic personality syndrome.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling him for VA examinations to evaluate his vocal cord dysfunction with hoarseness, renal insufficiency, and gout. The issues of increased rating and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 are also being addressed.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was denied because the additional cardiovascular disability is not proximately due to VA hospital care, medical or surgical treatment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, which was a significant condition contributing to his death, may be presumed to have been incurred in service. Service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current kidney disease was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected urethrolithiasis, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran is granted a 100 percent evaluation for chronic renal insufficiency effective June 1, 2003. The claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure, as well as for bilateral below the knee amputations. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board found that any residuals of a left kidney contusion the Veteran may have had in service were acute and resolved with no residual disability, and that any currently present kidney disability is not related to his active service.

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for sinusitis, upper respiratory infection, kidney stones, and impotency due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The claim of service connection for prostatitis and new and material evidence claim for chloracne are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and medical examinations to determine the etiology of his cervical spine disorder, kidney cancer, and bronchitis.

The Veteran's service-connected left leg osteomyelitis and resulting below the knee amputation contributed substantially or materially to his death from renal failure due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including shin splints as secondary to service-connected bilateral pes planus and psychiatric disorders. The effective date of these grants is not specified.

The Veteran's renal cell carcinoma, including its metastasis and residuals, was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor may it be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's death was caused by ischemic stroke, renal failure, and pneumonia. The Board has ordered additional development to determine if a service-connected disability contributed to the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and issuing a Statement of the Case on the issue of service connection for a kidney disorder. The Veteran's claims for hypertension and LUE carpal tunnel syndrome remain pending.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected as it is related to his in-service exposure to loud noises.,There are no disabling residuals of the left wrist contusion reported in service or post-service.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis was remanded. The claim of entitlement to compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for renal failure with hemodialysis was denied as the proximate cause of her condition is not attributable to VA carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed substantially or materially to his death. The appellant contends that her husband's service-connected PTSD caused or contributed to his overall decline in health, including heart problems and cancer.