Kidney disease decisions — 2014

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disability and a left kidney condition, finding that they were not due to an undiagnosed illness or any other specific exposure. The decision also addressed the claim for a higher rating for polymorphous light eruption (PMLE), which was previously granted but with a 0 percent initial rating.

The Veteran died from metastasizing renal cell carcinoma, which was not service-connected. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not contribute to his death.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, renal hypertension with nephropathy, bilateral lower extremity peripheral artery disease, and coronary artery disease were granted as presumptive conditions due to herbicide exposure. The effective date of November 21, 2007 is established.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected ulcerative colitis, coronary artery disease with diabetic nephropathy and liver disease, status post-transplant were denied. The claim for a separate evaluation for diabetic nephropathy was also denied as it is not permitted due to the close interrelationships between this condition and coronary artery disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including adenocarcinoma of the lung and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The decision also addressed issues related to fatigue, polycystic kidney disease, varicocele of the left testicle, epididymitis of the right testicle, and bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. No effective dates were assigned.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are found to be so disabling as to prevent him from dressing himself and result in physical incapacity which requires care or assistance on a regular basis. The Board finds that the Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance due to symptoms of diffuse bilateral upper and lower extremity weakness and dysphagia resulting in an inability to ambulate and difficulty with activities of daily living such as dressing, eating, personal hygiene, and medication management.

The Board granted service connection for Crohn's disease and found that the Veteran's exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune was related to his current condition. The other conditions were not shown to be directly related to service or due to exposure to contaminated water.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and secondary service connection were denied across multiple conditions, including acquired psychiatric disorders, thyroidectomy residuals, kidney stones, neck disorder, muscle disorder, digestive disorder, left ankle disorder, and left foot disorder. The appeals are based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's death was attributed to metastatic renal cell carcinoma, with significant contributing conditions being heart failure and PTSD. The appellant is seeking service connection for the cause of her husband's death due to ischemic heart disease, which she alleges should have been service-connected based on exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for a kidney disorder, and the claim is now pending rating assignment. The Veteran's TDIU claim remains pending as well.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's chronic kidney disease is not considered to be caused by VA care, treatment, or examination. The Board finds that the use of Valium did not result in or permanently increase the severity of his current disability.

The Board has determined that the cause of the Veteran's death is not related to his active duty service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The medical evidence does not support presumptive service connection for the cause of death due to renal cell carcinoma.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals in September 2014, leaving no issues for the Board to decide.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and end stage renal disease are not related to his service, and have denied both claims.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's renal disease is related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right inguinal hernia, chronic renal failure, sleep apnea, and hypertension. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for kidney disease as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II is denied. The evidence does not show the presence of a kidney disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for type II diabetes mellitus with chronic renal insufficiency and erectile dysfunction was denied by the RO, as his condition did not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current diagnosis of left pyelonephritis, claimed as kidney stones. Therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.