Kidney disease decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his residuals of renal cell carcinoma, status post right-sided nephrectomy, to include a well healed right upper quadrant scar was denied as the evidence did not show that he met the criteria for a higher than 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across multiple conditions, including cellulitis of the right lower extremity, type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, renal failure, lung cancer, and hypertension. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current kidney disorder, as well as for additional medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, and as the Veteran's renal disorder is found to be related to his service-connected hypertension, he is also granted service connection for that condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for kidney cancer and bladder cancer, both claimed as due to medication for his service-connected pulmonary vasculitis versus pulmonary fibrosis, have been dismissed because the Veteran died before a decision could be made.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including heart disability, Type II diabetes mellitus, kidney disability, and hypertension. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the issue of service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a supplemental opinion from a VA cardiologist regarding the etiology of the Veteran's death and addressing the accrued benefits aspect of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected residuals of a partial right kidney nephrectomy do not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lung, heart, kidney, and prostate disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.

The Veteran's death was attributed to natural causes, specifically end stage renal disease. The service-connected conditions (post-laminectomy lumbosacral disc disease and PTSD) are not considered contributory factors in his death.

The Veteran and his representative have requested to withdraw all issues on appeal, including the entitlement to service connection for hypertension, vascular disorder, and renal disorder. As a result, the Board has dismissed the appeal.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for tinnitus, hearing loss, residuals of typhoid fever, liver disease, sepsis, right kidney removal, and hypertension. The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be as likely as not attributable to his active military service.

The Board denied the appellant's request for an earlier effective date for his service-connected end stage renal disease and also denied his claims regarding initial disability ratings for hypertension, bilateral cataracts, reopening of previously denied claims for rheumatoid arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with emphysema, and pancreatitis.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected disabilities or due to a condition related to his in-service treatment. The appellant must be provided with proper VCAA notice and any relevant medical records should be obtained.

The appellant has withdrawn his appeal of all claims on appeal, including the initial disability ratings for peripheral neuropathy and kidney disease, as well as erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's kidney disease is due to or aggravated by his service-connected hypertension. The initial disability ratings for sinusitis have been granted, but the Veteran continues to appeal for higher ratings.

The Board found no service-connected disability that contributed to the Veteran's death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for kidney stones, finding that there is no current disability and insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between any past or present condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for assistance in the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment was denied as his conditions, while disabling, do not meet the criteria for loss of use of lower extremities or vision due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for kidney failure, low back pain, abdominal pain, blood clots in the neck and legs, pyelonephritis, and hair loss were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to these conditions attributable to her period of active duty.