Kidney disease Board decisions

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability with headaches, finding that new evidence supports his claim. The previous denial was based on an initial diagnosis of personality disorder in service and no relationship to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his active service and have denied all of his claims for service connection.

The Veteran seeks service connection for various conditions, including fibromyalgia and other health issues, all claimed as secondary to chemical and/or biological exposure during active duty. The Board finds that additional development is necessary due to the unclear nature of the classified agent exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development and examination regarding his claimed right kidney and heart disabilities.

The Veteran's kidney stones are not manifested by at least occasional attacks of colic without infection or necessity of catheter drainage since the claim was filed, and he has had no noted renal impairment during that time period. The criteria for an initial compensable disability rating for kidney stones have not been met.

The Board found that the Veteran's current kidney disease, including lupus nephritis, was not incurred during service and is not otherwise causally related to service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a kidney condition, liver cancer, right hip disorder, and right shoulder disorder were denied. The claim for increased evaluations of hepatitis C and splenectomy residuals was also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection as it is related to combat experiences in Vietnam. Service connection for a skin disorder and kidney tumor, both claimed due to herbicide exposure, are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetic neuropathy of the left upper extremity is granted. Service connection for kidney failure and back neuropathy are not established, but service connection for loss of balance is denied. The Veteran's service-connected diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities results in moderate impairment prior to January 9, 2007, and severe impairment from that date forward.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for chronic kidney failure, finding that there is no competent medical evidence linking the condition to his active duty for training.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hematuria, bladder disorder, liver disorder, cystic kidneys, prostate cancer, and bilateral posterior subcapsular cataracts are all granted. The Veteran is presumed to have been sound at the time of entry into active duty.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for kidney disease as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus due to a lack of current medical evidence supporting this condition.

The veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder, secondary to service-connected renal insufficiency, is currently rated at 30 percent. The appeal was granted as the Veteran's claim for an increased rating.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and he did not meet the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Veteran received emergency medical care at a private hospital from June 27, 2008 to July 1, 2008. The condition was stable enough for transfer to the VA medical system on July 1, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, arthritis, and lupus, were denied as secondary to his service-connected Raynaud's disease. The Board found no evidence of herbicide or ionizing radiation exposure during service, nor did the medical evidence support a finding that any of these conditions are related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's loss of a kidney is not related to his service or service-connected conditions, and denied the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The issues include seeking increased ratings and service connection for various conditions secondary to his right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain medical records from the Barstow Home and High Desert Medical Center, and for a VA examination of his left ankle disorder. The case will be readjudicated based on the new evidence.