Kidney disease decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions were denied, and the Board found no new and material evidence to reopen any of these claims.

The Veteran's kidney disorder (recurrent kidney stones) does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent as it does not result in recurrent stone formation requiring diet therapy, drug therapy, and/or invasive or non-invasive procedures more than two times a year. There are no frequent attacks of colic with infection (pyonephrosis) or impaired kidney function.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death from lung cancer, and thus denied service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and opinions regarding hypertension and kidney disability.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and secondary service connection for end-stage renal disease. The Veteran's current diagnoses of both conditions are linked to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of glomerulonephritis and chronic kidney disease, stage 3 was incurred during active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current chronic kidney disability, including renal carcinoma and left nephrectomy, is not shown to have developed as a result of an established event, injury, or disease during active service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claimed conditions were not shown to be related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The Board denied the claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current bilateral hip disability, his dry eye syndrome was aggravated by medications for hypertensive heart disease, and his hypertensive heart disease met the criteria for a 60 percent rating but not higher.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for type II diabetes mellitus. However, the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his active service or exposure to chemical agents, herbicides, or insecticides.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a Board hearing. The initial rating claim for the right kidney cancer remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for lung disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, kidney disorder, and hypertension all due to exposure to Agent Orange, toxins, and jet fuel.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a current kidney disability, which he claims first arose during his military service. The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and the need for clarification of the nature of any current kidney disability.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 60 percent for the Veteran's renal insufficiency effective April 14, 2010. The Veteran previously had a 30 percent rating prior to that date.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to missing records from 1976-1978, including those from High Point Memorial Hospital and Womack Army Medical Center.

The VA determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed kidney stones are not caused or aggravated by his service-connected hepatitis B, and thus denied the claim for secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, kidney disorder (also claimed as a urinary disorder), or low blood pressure. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in service.,Service connection for Parkinson's disease, kidney disorder (claimed as a urinary disorder), and low blood pressure is denied.

The Board has waived the requirement for a timely substantive appeal and granted the Veteran's appeal to proceed with his claims of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for pelvic bone fracture and service connection for various conditions.

The Board has granted a 60 percent evaluation for diabetes mellitus, type II and determined that the Veteran is entitled to TDIU benefits due to his service-connected disabilities.