Kidney disease decisions — 2012

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for type 2 diabetes and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for renal dysfunction, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between current disabilities and active military service or VA treatment.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's mild dysplasia associated with HPV, kidney condition, or right hip condition to her military service. As a result, these claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's kidney/renal disability was not found to be additional or caused by VA treatment in 2007. The pre-existing condition worsened due to the prescribed medication, but did not result in permanent deterioration.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a neurological disorder, hemorrhoids/bleeding rupture, kidney disease/kidney cysts, and hypertension have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of in-service onset or continuity of symptoms for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the Board denied entitlement to service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran seeks service connection for systemic lupus erythematosus with secondary chronic renal insufficiency, which he claims had its onset during his military service. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional development of the evidence and to provide an appropriate VA examination.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current left kidney disorder to his period of active military service, and thus denied the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for multicystic renal cell carcinoma and a skin disorder, including melanoma, are being remanded as the Board finds there is a need to obtain additional medical records and provide the Veteran with appropriate VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for a comprehensive VA internal medicine examination to determine if his current diabetes mellitus had causal origins in active service and whether any other conditions, such as peripheral neuropathy, renal disease, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction, were caused or aggravated by the diabetes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence, including records from his attending physician and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits determination. The VA will also schedule a specialized examination to determine if the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause his death. The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was secondary to his chronic kidney disease, which was not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and adjudicating his claim of service connection for hypertension. He also needs to undergo a medical opinion regarding the likely etiology of his current end stage renal disease. His claims of service connection for a back disability and an increased rating for his knee disabilities are also pending.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant prior to a decision being made.

The Board found that the causes of the Veteran's death (respiratory failure, hepatorenal syndrome and alcoholic cirrhosis) were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, cannot be presumed to have been incurred therein, and are not related to a service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus and renal cell carcinoma are not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for multiple joint aches and pains, as well as kidney stones, is being remanded due to procedural issues. The claims will be reviewed again by the Board with the assistance of a third Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of injury to the left kidney, status post left nephrectomy, with hypertension do not meet the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, as his hypertension and related conditions were noted at entrance to service and are presumed to have existed prior to service. The Board also found no evidence of aggravation during service.