Kidney disease decisions — 2012

The Veteran's death and potential service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, with peripheral neuropathy and renal failure as a result of herbicide exposure are being remanded due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's service in Vietnam.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or error in judgment. The service-connected conditions did not contribute to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left nephrectomy due to clear cell carcinoma is related to his service-connected hypertension, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the appellant's appeal for VA benefits based on his character of discharge, finding that there were no compelling circumstances to warrant his prolonged unauthorized absence from active duty.

The Board granted service connection for epididymitis, incontinence secondary to epididymitis, prostate disorder secondary to epididymitis, kidney disorder secondary to epididymitis, and denied service connection for hypertension.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a disease or disability that onset in service, was causally related to service, or was secondary to a service-connected disability. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no chronic kidney disability, and the Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to establish a current diagnosis of body fungus or reaction to H. pylori.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU, but the weight of medical evidence indicates these conditions do not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any urinary, kidney, and bladder disorder. The Veteran's claims are now considered on both a direct and secondary basis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining information about radiation levels at Eta Jima in 1953 and preparing a dose estimate based on available methodologies.

The Veteran's chronic kidney disease, including glomerulonephritis, renal insufficiency, and proteinuria, is considered to have been aggravated by his active service. The Board finds in favor of the Veteran and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's death was caused by atherosclerosis, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. The Board finds no evidence to support the appellant's claim that asbestosis exposure during service contributed to cause his death.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's exposure to hazardous chemicals during service in Korea and his prostate and renal cancer.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for various disabilities, including chronic pancreatitis, abscesses, anemia, and renal failure, which he claims were caused by negligent or faulty medical care provided by VA at the Topeka VA Medical Center in September 2007. The case is being remanded to obtain additional treatment records from February 2007 through October 2007.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected post-operative bilateral kidney stones.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is currently rated at 20 percent disabling. Separate compensable ratings for renal dysfunction and erectile dysfunction are not warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including obtaining relevant Social Security Administration records.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for a heart disorder, secondary to service-connected Lyme disease.,The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for sleep disorder, erectile disorder, and kidney disorder with irritable bladder are all granted as secondary to his service-connected Lyme disease.,A disability rating in excess of 10 percent is granted for status post hemorrhoidectomy and external sphincterotomy from December 29, 2005, to March 30, 2009.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cataracts, finding no competent evidence to show that his post-service cataracts began during active service or were related to any incident of service.

The Board found that the Veteran's renal artery stenosis and stroke residuals are not related to service, with a focus on the peripheral vascular disease. The VA examinations did not support a connection.