Kidney disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's unauthorized private hospitalization for nonservice-connected conditions was not eligible for payment or reimbursement due to the lack of prior VA medical services within 24 months preceding the treatment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current kidney condition, including chronic pyelonephritis and bilateral scarring, is related to his service. As a result, the claim for service connection for a kidney disorder is granted.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to complications from VA surgeries in March and April 2009 was denied as the evidence did not show that his additional disabilities were caused by VA fault or an unforeseen event.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to complications from a May 1979 surgery is being remanded as the VA medical opinion provided was inadequate and there is new evidence that may support his claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease due to conflicting medical records and unclear nature of the Veteran's claim. The case is being returned for an additional VA examination and opinion regarding both conditions.

The Veteran's kidney failure is related to his military service, specifically exposure to contaminants at Camp Lejeune. However, the VA examiner did not address important evidence in the record that may support a finding of service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing service treatment records. The AOJ is instructed to request any available medical records from the Ohio National Guard.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic renal insufficiency as secondary to diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran's kidney condition is more likely related to long term hypertension and diabetes.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's kidney disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his exposure to contaminated water while stationed at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension due to service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease due to hypertension. The decision is based on the evidence showing a relationship between these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected Crohn’s disease and chronic renal failure render him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU. The case is remanded for further examination of his Crohn’s disease.

The Board denied service connection for cancer of the kidney, esophagus, and bladder as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's cause of death, renal failure, was a manifestation of his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's cause of death for purposes of entitlement to DIC benefits due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and chronic renal disease due to service, as well as his secondary service connection claim for PTSD. The case is being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding whether PTSD aggravated hypertension and/or contributed to renal disease, which are listed as contributing causes of death on the Veteran's death certificate.

The Veteran's additional disabilities are being remanded for an addendum VA medical opinion to determine if they were caused by the November 2011 VA colonoscopy with perforated bowel and subsequent multiple infections, including carelessness or negligence on the part of VA.

The Board has denied service connection for skin lesions and remanded the issue of service connection for chronic kidney disease due to lack of a medical opinion on secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The renal dysfunction associated with diabetes mellitus was rated at 60 percent, the diabetes mellitus at 20 percent, and the insomnia (now claimed as depression) at 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II. The claims for increased ratings for gouty arthritis of the right great toe and left ankle and initial compensable disability evaluation for kidney stones are remanded.