Kidney disease decisions — 2012

The Board found no evidence of a head injury or stroke during active service and denied the claims for service connection.

The Veteran's death was not caused by VA medical care, and the cause of his death (MRSA sepsis) is not considered to be a result of VA fault.

The Veteran's private medical expenses incurred between June 3, 2011 and June 8, 2011 at Calais Regional Hospital and EEMC are now covered by VA as they were deemed necessary due to the lack of availability of appropriate VA facilities.

The Board denied service connection for renal cell carcinoma and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a direct link to service or any presumptive conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's renal cell carcinoma is related to his exposure to Agent Orange during service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has received notification of the appellant's withdrawal of all issues, including service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus with chronic kidney disease, and hypertension. As a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen the claim for service connection for residuals of renal cell carcinoma on a direct basis, finding that the Veteran's cancer is not related to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertensive heart disease, renal failure, and residuals of stroke are denied as the evidence does not show a direct relationship to his military service or any presumptive exposure to herbicides.

The Board has dismissed all issues on appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeals.

The Board finds that the Veteran's cause of death is not attributable to his military service and therefore denies entitlement to service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a kidney disability and finds that it is related to his in-service injury. The Veteran's left thigh muscle disability is also found to be related to his in-service injury, but an examination is needed to determine if he currently has sciatic nerve neuropathy.

The Veteran's bladder, renal cell and pancreatic cancers are not presumed due to exposure to herbicides. The Board finds that a VA examination is necessary to determine the etiology of his cancers.

The Veteran's death was found to be due to renal failure caused by hepatitis C, which is service-connected.,Special Monthly Compensation for the loss of use of one foot and additional accrued benefits were granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for renal insufficiency as secondary to service-connected idiopathic hyperuricemia, found no clear and unmistakable error in the June 1974 rating decision assigning a noncompensable rating for idiopathic hyperuricemia, and denied his increased ratings for bilateral pes planus and gouty arthritis of the right ankle.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of arthritis or kidney stones during the Veteran's honorable service period. As such, her claims for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's surviving spouse is seeking an initial compensable rating for renal insufficiency associated with hypertension. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional development and VCAA notice.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a renal disability related to his service or any service-connected conditions, including prescribed medications for his low back disorder. Therefore, the claim of service connection for a renal disorder is denied.

The Veteran's claim for SMC by reason of the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board found that the Veteran's left kidney condition is a congenital defect and not related to his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current renal disease is not related to his active military service and denied his claim for service connection.