Kidney disease decisions — 2012

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of recurrent renal calculi are not rated higher than 30 percent since May 6, 2010. His asthma and allergic rhinitis do not warrant separate compensable evaluations.

The Veteran's death was attributed to Alzheimer's disease, pneumonia, hypernatremia, and acute renal failure. The VA medical opinion concluded that the cause of death was not related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp LeJeune or herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and due process considerations, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his claims of service connection for renal cell carcinoma, congestive heart failure, and a low back disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a surgical scar was denied due to lack of current evidence. The petition to reopen his previously denied kidney disability claim was also denied as the new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed kidney and colon disabilities are not due to exposure to ionizing radiation in service, nor do they qualify as presumptive conditions. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records from SSA and VA healthcare facilities.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for chronic renal insufficiency as secondary to diabetes mellitus has been granted, with the effective date set at June 7, 2005.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and authorization to release private health care provider records. The appellant's DIC claim is not granted as service connection was not in effect at the time of her husband's death.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for renal insufficiency with hypertension was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under the 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for additional disability due to VA medical or surgical treatment, associated with a left rotator cuff repair in November 2004. The case has been remanded for further development including obtaining the signed consent form and ensuring proper informed consent procedures were followed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities qualify him for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension/hypertensive heart disease/hypertensive renal disease and erectile dysfunction, finding that these conditions were not caused or aggravated by his service or a service-connected disability (diabetes).

The Veteran's anemia, back disorder, and the disorder manifested by loss of control of his left leg and foot are found to be related to his military service, including exposure to ionizing radiation. His varicose veins are not considered due to service or exposure to ionizing radiation. The claim for kidney stones is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic kidney disease and hypertension are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records. The issues will be reconsidered after these records have been obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected PTSD and associated alcohol addiction, warranting service connection for the cause of death. The issue of special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound criteria is remanded.

The Board finds that the Veteran's death was not caused by VA hospital care, medical or surgical treatment, and there is no evidence of any fault on the part of VA. The cause of death was a pulmonary embolism due to the femoral fracture.

The Veteran's kidney disorder, claimed as renal cysts, is being remanded for further development including a VA examination to determine if it is related to service exposure. The issue will be reconsidered after the additional development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's infrarenal fusiform abdominal aortic aneurysm, including obtaining medical records and opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is a result of service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.