Kidney disease decisions — 2018

Degenerative disc disease of the lumber spine, allergic rhinitis, and restless leg syndrome (left and right lower extremities) to include radiculopathy have been granted service connection. Kidney reflux disease and urinary tract infection have not been granted service connection.,Bipolar disorder has been granted service connection.

The Veteran's kidney disorder is being remanded for a VA examiner to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at 60 percent, and the Board has remanded for further action on his claim of increased disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and alcohol abuse are found to be etiologically related, granting service connection for PTSD with alcohol abuse. Heart disease and kidney disease secondary to PTSD with alcohol abuse are also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for gouty arthritis, chronic kidney disease, visual disability (refractive error), and an initial increased rating in excess of 50 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder. The decision also remanded the issue of service connection to hypertension as secondary to PTSD.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized ambulance transportation services and unauthorized medical expenses incurred on June 12, 2015. The costs were covered due to a 'medical emergency' as determined by VA.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss disability, and kidney disorder must be remanded due to insufficient medical opinions. The claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to a service-connected disability is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for shortness of breath, congestive heart failure, end stage renal disease, allergies, and diabetes mellitus due to additional development being warranted.

This case involves multiple claims for service connection, all denied. The Veteran contends that there was clear and unmistakable error in the September 1993 rating decisions denying his claims for cervical strain, right shoulder impingement syndrome with degenerative arthritis, hypertension with stage 3 chronic kidney disease and renal insufficiency, and degenerative changes of lumbosacral spine. The Board found that there was no CUE in these decisions.,Reasoning: The Veteran's arguments were based on the interpretation of his service treatment records showing injuries sustained during service. However, the Board determined that the RO did not commit CUE as the correct facts were available and correctly applied the laws at the time.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for cause of death due to diabetes mellitus type II and renal insufficiency. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and a new opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's conditions and his death.

The Board has decided to remand several claims for further development, including obtaining relevant federal records and providing adequate opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of the Veteran's death, specifically whether his pancreatic cancer is related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Veteran's request to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for arthropathy and joint pain, specifically involving the left and right ankles and the left and right hips, has been granted. The evidence now suggests that the Veteran may have psoriatic arthritis affecting his ankles and hips.,The Veteran's request to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a lung condition, claimed as secondary to medications taken to treat service-connected psoriasis, has also been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cyst of the right kidney is not related to his military service and denied service connection. The bilateral eye disability claim, including visual field defect and visual disturbance, remains pending as more evidence is needed.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, heart disease, diabetes mellitus, bilateral foot disorder, and kidney disease as they are not related to the Veteran's active duty.,The VA examiners found that these conditions did not have onset during service and were unrelated to any event, illness, or injury in service.

The Veteran's claim for payment of private medical expenses incurred on May 18-19, 2015 is denied because VA facilities were feasibly available and the Veteran refused transport to a VA facility. The preponderance of evidence does not support reimbursement.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for benign hypertensive renal disease is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and possible new examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.,The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on housebound status has also been dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for kidney stones and remanded the issue of a compensable rating for hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including chronic kidney disease and headaches, have been denied. The Board has found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.