Kidney disease Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from keeping himself clean and avoiding daily hazards, meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board found no evidence of current renal colic or stones, and concluded that the Veteran's current chronic renal insufficiency is not due to his service-connected renal colic. Therefore, a compensable disability rating for renal colic was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for additional VCAA notice. The appellant is seeking service connection for the cause of her husband's death, but the claims file lacks relevant medical records from Norman Regional Hospital.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records, as well as a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's cause of death. The appellant is seeking service connection for the cause of her husband's death and entitlement to Dependents' Educational Assistance.

The Board found that the Veteran's conditions did not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status, as he was able to perform daily activities independently and had no physical or mental incapacity requiring regular care.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection claims for hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, heart disorder, kidney disorder, vision disorder, back disorder, right leg disorder, and pes planus. The evidence submitted since the July 2002 final rating decision did not provide new and material evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant were denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Veteran's bladder and kidney disability is not service-connected, but he was granted compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for his condition due to VA treatment. The claim for service connection of the bladder and kidney disability remains pending. The claim for reopening of the hemorrhoids claim has been granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, with hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, rectal abscess, retinopathy, and renal insufficiency, was not incurred or aggravated by service, including as due to herbicide exposure. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between any claimed condition and his military service.

The Veteran's disability picture encompasses a variety of significant multi-system disabilities, factually rendering her more often than not unable to safely perform virtually all activities of daily living without regular assistance from another person. The Board grants special monthly pension benefits based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's kidney cysts and depression are not service-connected. The Board denied the claims for service connection due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's chronic renal disease was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and the Board denied his claim for service connection. However, he met the criteria for special monthly pension based on a need for regular aid and attendance due to his end-stage renal disease.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of her claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to address the nature and etiology of various claimed conditions.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his service-connected injuries did not contribute to or cause his renal failure. The appellant was also denied reopening her prior claim due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including heart disease, kidney disorder, liver disorder and hepatitis B, low back disorder, headaches, and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The appeals were all dismissed as new evidence was not submitted to reopen these claims.

The Board denied all reopened service connection claims for hypertension, depression, sleep disorder, skin rash, throat infection, ear infection, and kidney stones as due to an undiagnosed illness. The evidence submitted did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims.

The Veteran's death was not due to service or a service-connected disability, and thus no child or surviving spouse is eligible for DEA benefits.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of hypertension, service connection for numbness of the hands other than CTS, and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) were denied. Service connection for a kidney disability was also denied due to lack of post-service medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his aspiration pneumonia, which is considered a contributory cause of death. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the aspiration pneumonia contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death.