Kidney disease decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam or any of the specified units in South Korea exposed to herbicides, including Agent Orange. Therefore, he is not presumed to have been exposed to such agents during service. There is no evidence of actual exposure either. As a result, service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and its secondary conditions cannot be established.

The Veteran's tuberculosis of the right kidney is currently rated as inactive and no longer active. The case is being remanded for further evaluation to determine if there are any current manifestations or residuals that warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service connection claims for multiple myeloma, thyroid cancer/parathyroid cancer, subcapsular cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, heart disease, and kidney stones were denied as there is no evidence of exposure to ionizing radiation in service.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain the Veteran's private treatment records and a VA medical opinion regarding the potential relationship between his diabetes mellitus, renal failure, and esophageal cancer. The case is being remanded for these actions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a supplemental opinion from the VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's kidney disease is related to service or post-service treatment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and clarifying the appellant's claims. The Veteran died from multiple underlying conditions, but his service-connected lumbar spine disability or medication may have contributed to his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an adrenal gland disability, including due to exposure to chemical agents, was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the current condition and his military service.

The Board has vacated the October 8, 2010 decision denying compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disability claimed to be due to VA medical treatment because the evidence was not considered at the time of the decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, a skin disorder, gout, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease. The evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating any of these claims.

The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted due to his service-connected disabilities making him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death prior to October 7, 2004 due to lack of evidence showing a causal link between his active military service and his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to the appellant's request for a Travel Board hearing, and the claims are not ready for appellate review.

The Board has determined that a medical opinion is needed to determine the cause of the Veteran's death and whether his lichen planus or use of prescribed medication contributed significantly to his death. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected appendectomy scar did not cause or contribute to his death, and there is no evidence linking his lung disease, coronary artery disease, and chronic renal dysfunction to his period of service. The preponderance of the medical evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were related to his military service.

The Board found no evidence of a connection between the Veteran's military service and his current kidney cancer, or of a chronic disorder in service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and its related complications, including genitourinary disorders, bilateral lower extremity pain (peripheral neuropathy), vision loss, and anemia. The Veteran's right knee disorder is also now considered service-connected as secondary to his left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a service-connected condition for leukopenia, colon polyp, diabetes, hypertension, or chronic kidney disease.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a hearing at his local VA office. The issues include service connection for various conditions and evaluations for disabilities.

The Veteran's death was caused by chronic kidney failure, which is service-connected. The claim for DIC under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and any pertinent VA or private medical records.