Kidney disease decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a disease or injury incurred in service, and therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus was rated at 20 percent, and the Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating. The appellant is therefore denied an increased disability rating for diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy with congestive heart failure associated with herbicide exposure could not be established based on the available evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for restoration of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus was denied due to severance.,An effective date prior to June 19, 2007, for the grant of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is not granted as there is no entitlement to this benefit.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for a kidney condition secondary to type II diabetes mellitus. The issue remains on appeal.,The Veteran does not have a kidney condition that is related to his active duty service or any service-connected disability.,The Veteran does not have peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities due to any incident of his active duty service or to a service-connected disability.,The Veteran does not have peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to any incident of his active duty service or to a service-connected disability.,The Veteran does not have radiculopathy of the upper extremities due to any incident of his active duty service or to a service-connected disability.,The Veteran does not have radiculopathy of the lower extremities due to any incident of his active duty service or to a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's prostate condition was not incurred in service and may not be presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to herbicides. The issue remains on appeal.,The Veteran's daughter does not meet the criteria for benefits for a child born with spina bifida.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for renal cancer, which he claims is secondary to his diabetes mellitus and in-service exposure. However, the VA has not reviewed all relevant medical records from Tampa VA Medical Center that could support or refute this claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for additional medical records. The Veteran's cause of death is being reviewed based on presumed exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, as it has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension with chronic renal insufficiency and first degree atrioventricular block were denied. The claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to August 6, 2013, and a disability rating in excess of 40 percent since that time is pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and therefore, DIC benefits are denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The claim for an earlier effective date was also denied.

The Veteran's renal cell carcinoma of the left kidney, bony metastases, and cause of death due to renal cell carcinoma have been granted service connection.,The claim for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is rendered moot as it encompasses the same disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, which has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left upper and lower hemiparesis due to cerebrovascular accident (CVA) associated with hypertension and renal insufficiency associated with hypertension, qualify for an increased level of SMC equivalent to the intermediate rate higher than 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114 subsection (m), but no higher.

The Veteran's claim for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 was denied because the additional disabilities he developed were not caused by VA's negligence or fault.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151, service connection for renal cell carcinoma, dermatitis, memory loss, diabetes mellitus, type II, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for his renal cancer, which he contends was caused by in-service exposure to Agent Orange. The case has been remanded due to the need to obtain VA treatment records and private medical records, as well as a VA medical opinion on the relationship between the Veteran's renal cancer and presumed in-service exposure to herbicides.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claims of entitlement to compensation pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for an additional left ankle/left foot disability, as well as his service connection claims for kidney disorder and diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The denial was based on a lack of evidence showing carelessness or negligence by VA in the treatment provided.

The Board has granted a compensable initial rating of 10% for the Veteran's scar on his right lateral thigh. The issue of service connection for kidney stones is remanded due to missing records.

The Veteran's renal cell carcinoma was not found to be related to his service, including exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.