Kidney disease decisions — 2014

The Veteran's kidney condition is being remanded for a more detailed opinion regarding its relationship to his service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's renal cell carcinoma is related to service, and his death from metastatic renal cell carcinoma is due to the condition. Service connection for both conditions is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by VA medical treatment and denied DIC on this basis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to evaluate the Veteran's service-connected renal disability.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims of service connection for various conditions, including meningitis, heart disability, kidney disability, lung disability, back disability, brain damage, and emotional and behavioral problems. The appeal is based on the merits of these claims.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for a history of cerebral vascular accident, a history of myocardial infarction (claimed as heart attack), a hypothyroid disability, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral vascular disease prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's cause of death was not due to any service-connected condition, including exposure to ionizing radiation. Prostate cancer is not presumed or service connected based on the evidence provided.

The Veteran's renal cell carcinoma is found to be incurred in service, with all reasonable doubt resolved in his favor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction and renal insufficiency are not service-connected, as they are less likely than not caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's kidney disorder, sleep apnea, hearing loss, and stomach disorder (GERD) are not service-connected as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine if the appellant (Veteran's spouse) is a proper claimant for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred by the Veteran at a non-VA facility. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the Veteran's exposure to herbicides and whether his death was related to service-connected conditions or other causes. The case is REMANDED for these actions.

The Veteran's kidney stones prior to January 12, 2012 did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,From January 12, 2012, her disability was rated at 10 percent and has not met the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service connection claims for tinea versicolor, obstructive sleep apnea, and a kidney disorder are all granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new hearing at the RO to address his claims of service connection and increased ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for nummular eczema, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether it had its onset during active service and has continued since service. The Veteran's claims for other conditions are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, chronic renal insufficiency, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy, precluded him from securing and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board finds that the VA treatment in November 2007 did not result in additional disability, including septic arthritis and a renal condition. The Veteran's complications were due to an event not reasonably foreseeable.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for the claimed conditions, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, end stage renal disease, diabetic retinopathy, and atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia with atrial flutter. The Veteran's claims were denied as there was insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his current diagnoses and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's kidney cancer is not related to service or service-connected conditions, and thus denied his claim for service connection.