Kidney disease decisions — 2015

The Veteran's death was caused by a left frontoparietal thrombotic stroke, with metastatic renal cell carcinoma contributing to his death. The Board found that the cause of the Veteran's cancer is more likely than not related to herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis, dislocated semilunar cartilage, or removal of semilunar cartilage. The Veteran's right knee impairment does not warrant a higher rating under these DCs.

The Veteran's claim for an educational assistance benefits rate in excess of 60 percent under the post-9/11 GI Bill is denied as her only qualifying active duty service was less than 18 months and did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure during active duty and denied service connection for all claimed conditions as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his kidney condition. The claim will be reviewed again after this additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and development due to unclear presumptive service connection for the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including left renal cancer and gastric cancer.

The Veteran seeks service connection for renal cell carcinoma as secondary to his in-service exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a kidney condition has been reopened and is currently under consideration. The claim for service connection for navel hernia remains denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected condition, hepatitis C. The evidence does not support a finding that the hepatitis C was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus with hypertension and renal insufficiency is being remanded due to inadequate examination and the need for additional medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's condition did not stabilize by October 1, 2011, and thus he could have been transferred to a VA facility for further care. The medical expenses incurred at the private hospital from October 1 to October [redacted], 2011 are therefore granted.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Orlando Regional Medical on December 12, 2012 are now covered by VA as his condition stabilized and he could have been transferred to a VA facility for continued treatment.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and slight kidney leakage were determined to have onset during service, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II with mild renal insufficiency and hypertension is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not establish a link between his conditions and active duty. The reopening of claims was also denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities, a dental condition, a kidney disability, a right arm disability, and a low back disability. The appeals were based on direct service connection.

The Veteran died of a ruptured aortic aneurysm, with temporal arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatic as contributing conditions. The Board finds that the death was not proximately caused by VA care or treatment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's nephrolithiasis, manifested by nonobstructive kidney stones with occasional flank pain, does not warrant a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for chronic renal disease, which he claims was caused or aggravated by his service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus. The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of recent medical records and the need for an updated VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's renal cell cancer, which caused his death, is more likely than not due to his in-service exposure to Agent Orange. As a result, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.