Kidney disease decisions — 2013

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling of hearings before a Decision Review Officer and a Travel Board. The Veteran's claims will be further considered based on this new information.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and renal disease on a presumptive basis due to presumed exposure to herbicides during active duty.

The Board has denied reopening the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and a left knee disorder, as new and material evidence was not submitted.,No new and material evidence was presented to reopen the claim of service connection for kidney disease.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's chronic renal failure and whether it is caused or permanently aggravated by his service-connected hepatitis C. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the hypertension issue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an absent kidney is denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between his claimed condition and his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic renal disease, manifested by edema of the lower extremities, was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty and is not related to such service.

The Veteran's cause of death was not caused by any service-connected disability, nor were his underlying conditions (prostate cancer and renal carcinoma) found to be related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and readjudication due to new evidence submitted by her attorney.

The Veteran's chronic renal insufficiency and neurogenic bladder resulted from a delay in diagnosis by VA, which led to irreversible kidney dysfunction. The Board finds that the criteria for 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 compensation have been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of chronic kidney disease is related to his service-connected diabetes, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for type II diabetes mellitus, a kidney disorder, and a heart disorder are granted as they are presumed to be related to his military service due to herbicide exposure.

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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and unsubstantiated medical conclusions. The case is now pending further development of the record.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of renal trauma have been granted an 80% rating from August 3, 2006 to November 9, 2011. The claim for a back disability remains on appeal.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of death is denied. The appellant also failed to meet the criteria for service connected burial benefits as she already received an allowance for funeral and burial expenses.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed intestinal and kidney disorders are not related to his service, and thus denied these claims.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity paresthesia are found to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,Service connection is granted for right and left lower extremity paresthesia.

The Veteran does not have a chronic kidney stone disability that is attributable to active service. Service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right ankle disorder, chronic groin disability, or chronic respiratory disability. The hearing loss claim is also denied as there was no evidence of hearing loss during service and it did not meet VA's criteria for a disability.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to clarify the Veteran's kidney disability claim, and he is requested to provide any relevant VA or private treatment records. The GERD issue requires issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC).