Kidney disease decisions — 2011

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current disabilities (bilateral tinnitus, prostate cancer, and kidney disorder) and his military service. The claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board found that the cause of death was not related to service-connected disabilities and denied the claim.

The Board has determined that there is no credible evidence linking the Veteran's current kidney disability, hypertension, or swelling of the feet and legs to service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claim for service connection for kidney stones.

The Veteran's service connection claims for kidney stones, skin cancer, hypertension, coronary artery disease, depression and anxiety, and PTSD have been granted based on presumed exposure to Agent Orange during his Vietnam service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the appellant requesting withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's renal cancer was caused by herbicide exposure and whether his service-connected disabilities contributed to his death. The appeal is now pending with the RO.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a retrospective medical opinion regarding whether her service-connected disabilities rendered her unemployable from April 5, 2006 to December 31, 2007. The case will be readjudicated after obtaining this information.

The Board denied service connection for left knee disability and renal failure, finding no evidence of such conditions in service or within one year post-service. The Veteran's current symptoms are not linked to his military service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating schedule. The appeal was dismissed as there were no pending claims or entitlements to accrued benefits.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Parkinson's disease was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claim before a decision could be made.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to unclear rating decisions and the need for additional medical opinions regarding service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder and low back disorder. The claim for service connection for diverticulitis is pending, as is the claim for service connection for hypertension secondary to PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for clarification of the findings in the January 2010 VA examination report and May 2011 addendum to the January 2010 VA examination report, as well as a new VA examination by an examiner with appropriate expertise. The issues of service connection for a kidney disorder and entitlement to TDIU prior to January 9, 2007 are dependent on the outcome of the service connection claim.

The VA physician concluded that the service-connected right leg deep venous thrombosis did not contribute substantially or materially to the Veteran's death, as evidenced by the lack of recurrence of DVT and no indication of over-coagulation. The hypertension listed on the cause-of-death certificate was attributed to a different condition (Fen-Phen).

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is evaluated at a 30 percent rating, which reflects occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks. The Veteran has not met the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's kidney and bladder cancers have been medically linked to asbestos exposure during service, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and entitlement to DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, finding new and material evidence in support of her claim for service connection but not for DIC.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a right thigh injury with meralgia and paresthesias was denied. The disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's renal cell carcinoma is being reviewed for potential service connection due to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The case has been remanded for further examination and opinion.