Kidney disease decisions — 2014

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for hearing loss was denied, and the Board found that his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) did not meet the criteria for a separate disability evaluation. The lung condition and kidney disease claims were remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to decide if the Veteran's myocardial infarction was incurred in service, and further development is needed.

The Board found that the service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to the Veteran's death, as there is no evidence of a nexus between his service and the causes of his death.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, glomerulonephritis on renal dialysis, and a coronary disability are denied as the earliest date of claim is July 10, 2003.

The Veteran's right ankle disorder appeal has been withdrawn.,Service connection for a kidney disorder (chronic kidney stones) is denied as the condition is considered a congenital defect and not service-connected.

The Board has determined that additional development is required due to the need for an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's kidney disorders, which are presumed to be related to his service in Vietnam and exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of hemorrhagic fever, to include renal dysfunction, was denied as there is no evidence that his current kidney problems are related to the hemorrhagic fever he experienced in service. The Board found that the Veteran's chronic kidney disease is more likely due to hypertension and other conditions rather than the hemorrhagic fever.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service and have denied all of his claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by, or substantially or materially contributed to by, a disability incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service. Specifically, cardiomyopathy, which caused the Veteran's death, was not shown in service and there is no causal link between his death and exposure to asbestos during active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cyst on the left kidney is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service, including exposure to ionizing radiation. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for payment of medical expenses incurred during his hospitalization from November 16, 2008 to November 20, 2008 at Community Medical Center in Missoula, Montana was denied because he had not received medical services under authority of 38 U.S.C. Chapter 17 within the 24-month period preceding the furnishing of such emergency treatment.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and a kidney disorder, to include as secondary to hepatitis C. The Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service risk factors.

The Veteran seeks compensation benefits under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for complications from radiation therapy for rectal cancer, including kidney failure and small bowel obstruction. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding whether these complications are related to carelessness or negligence on the part of VA medical personnel.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Ocala Regional Medical Center on September 9, 2009, September 11, 2009, and September 15, 2009 are denied as they were not for emergency treatment.

The Veteran's post-operative kidney stones are currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate based on his symptoms of occasional attacks of colic without infection or catheter drainage.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding his claimed conditions, including renal cell carcinoma, liver disorder, pancreatic disorder, heart disease, and hypertension.

The Board finds that the Veteran's death was not caused or hastened by a disability incurred in or aggravated by service, specifically his nephritis with hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides in Thailand, which could impact his claim for service connection for the cause of his death.