Kidney disease Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer has been reopened and granted due to his exposure to herbicides during service.,Service connection is also granted for kidney cancer, skin cancer, COPD, urinary incontinence as secondary to prostate cancer, and a psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's cause of death was not found to be service-connected, and the DIC claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is denied due to lack of evidence of herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's bladder cancer was at least as likely as not caused by in-service herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's bladder cancer substantially contributed to his death.,The Veteran's metastatic kidney cancer was at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected bladder cancer.,The Veteran's metastatic lung cancer was at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected bladder cancer.

The Board finds that service-connected bilateral lower extremity venous insufficiency contributed substantially and materially to the Veteran's death, granting entitlement to service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board found that the Veteran's condition was stable on August 26, and he refused transfer to a VA facility due to his preference for paying out-of-pocket at a private facility. Therefore, the treatment provided did not meet the criteria for 'emergency treatment' as defined by law.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for multiple myeloma, anemia, chronic kidney disease, prostate disability, and gastrointestinal disability is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his service in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, which was caused by his in-service herbicide exposure (Agent Orange), contributed to his death from neuroendocrine cancer. The chronic kidney disease also developed due to his diabetes and contributed to his treatment options for his cancer.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine his exposure to herbicides and other potential causes of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's chronic joint disability, including rheumatoid arthritis, and kidney disease are found to be related to service. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to service or service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease has been withdrawn.,Service connection for hypertension is denied as the condition is not related to military service or secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's renal cancer was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may it be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case as he is deceased.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 4, 2012 for the award of special monthly compensation at the housebound level is denied. The effective date is set as September 4, 2012 based on the increase in his rating for polycystic kidney disease with stage IV renal failure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus contributed substantially and materially to his cause of death, which was terminal gastric cancer. The evidence is in equipoise regarding whether this condition proximately caused or aggravated the Veteran's fatal gastric cancer.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for additional disability of the legs/lower extremities, digestive system, and kidneys have been denied as there is no evidence that his current disabilities are due to VA treatment in December 2002.,The Veteran does not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant under 38 U.S.C.A. § 2101.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease with hypertensive renal disease, status post myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure is rated at 100% disabling. His hypertension is currently evaluated as 10% disabling.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosed kidney disorder and the Veteran's ulcer disorder did not have an onset during service. The claim for increased rating of GERD disability is inextricably intertwined with the ulcer disorder claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's kidney cancer with loss of the right kidney and bladder cancer are at least as likely as not related to his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during service. As such, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including post-operative degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and asthma, prevent her from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to appear for a scheduled videoconference hearing. The appeal is now pending and will be heard at a later date.