Kidney disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran died in September 2015 due to congestive heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and hypertension. The appellant was reimbursed $2,189.44 for funeral expenses but is seeking additional reimbursement of unreimbursed medical expenses. The Board denied the claim as there is no evidence that these expenses were related to the Veteran's last illness.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for further examination and review of his medical records.

The Board has denied service connection for a right kidney disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for cold injury to the legs.

The Veteran's cause of death was not due to a service-connected disability. None of the conditions noted on his death certificate as contributing to his death were service connected, and no evidence links these conditions with service.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple claims for service connection, with the majority of issues being remanded due to incomplete records and need for further examination.,Service connection is sought for a variety of conditions including low back disability, right ankle/heel disability, nerve damage of the right foot, neck/cervical spine disability, neurologic impairment of upper/lower extremities, recurrent high fevers, chronic fatigue syndrome, cold intolerance, liver disability, jaundice, prostate disability, kidney disability, blood in urine, frequent urination, Parkinson's disease, spinal meningitis, and chronic headaches.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and nephrolithiasis (kidney stones) as there was no evidence of current disabilities or that they were incurred in service.,There is no medical evidence showing the Veteran had any current conditions related to his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted. The remaining issues of service connection are remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions have been reopened, and some have been granted. The effective date for the increased rating of bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for the cause of death and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 due to lack of evidence showing a service-connected disability was the principal or contributory cause of his death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and chronic kidney disability were denied as there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted with an effective date of July 31, 2006. The claimant contends that the earlier effective date is warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral nephrolithiasis (kidney stones) as the condition is considered to have been incurred in active service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions and their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a right femur stress fracture, including trochanter bursitis, and kidney stones due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran testified that he had ongoing pain and limp related to his in-service injury, but the VA examiners did not address these points. Additionally, there are outstanding private treatment records needed for the kidney stones claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to potential exposure to Agent Orange from C-123 aircrafts, and further development is needed in this regard.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and VA treatment records. He will also be scheduled for new VA examinations to clarify his diagnoses of the claimed disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for renal cancer as the evidence did not show a nexus to service, and no examination or medical opinion was necessary.

The Veteran's cause of death is remanded due to new evidence raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The AOJ will obtain military personnel records and VA treatment records, and request a VA opinion on the etiology of the Veteran’s cause of death.

Gilbert's syndrome has been granted service connection.,Gastroesophageal disability (GERD) and kidney disability have not been established as service-connected.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to address the appellant's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to a misdiagnosis and delayed treatment of his endocrine system disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a kidney disability and an eye disability, both related to exposure to herbicide agents. The evidence did not support a link between these disabilities and his military service.