Kidney disease Board decisions

The veteran's claim for reimbursement or payment of unauthorized medical services rendered after the first two days of his private hospitalization in St. John's Medical Center from December 10 to 22, 2003, and during his stay in the RCU of St. John's Medical Center from December 22 to 26, 2003, was denied as he was sufficiently stabilized for transfer to a VA facility.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for hepatitis C and kidney disorder due to incomplete records, including VA treatment records and private medical records. The veteran is also asked to provide a buddy statement regarding any tattoos during service and a medical opinion from Dr. Ballou.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected anxiety neurosis caused his alcoholism, which in turn led to cardiovascular-renal disease and contributed to his death. Therefore, service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The veteran claims service connection for chronic renal failure, which the RO denied. The Board has ordered remand due to incomplete records and need for a VA examination.

The Board found no CUE in the October 1984 decision denying service connection for the cause of death, and denied the motion for revision.

The Board has determined that the VAMC's decision denying payment or reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses was not supported by adequate and competent evidence, as there are conflicting statements regarding whether a medical emergency existed and whether VA facilities were feasibly available. The case is being remanded to allow further review.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining an opinion on whether the veteran's renal cell carcinoma is related to his service or exposure to contaminants at Fort Sheridan Army Base.

The Board finds that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and therefore DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 are denied.

The Board has denied the appellant's claim to reopen her service connection for cause of death, finding that new and material evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board has determined that hypertension and renal pathology are at least as likely as not related to service, including the 1975 fall during active duty. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death and also denied the claim for aid and attendance benefits on an accrued basis.

The Board has determined that none of the veteran's service-connected disabilities were a contributing cause to his death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a nephrologist examination. The issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of service connection for a back disability are also pending.

The veteran's death was caused by, or substantially contributed to by, a disorder incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service. The Board found that the criteria under 38 C.F.R. § 3.307(a)(6)(ii) and § 3.309(e) were met, thereby relating the veteran's lung cancer to service on a presumptive basis.

The Board has determined that new evidence submitted by the veteran does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate his claim for service connection of abdominal cramping, fatty liver, cysts on the kidneys, and acid reflux disease. As such, the claim is denied.

The Board denied the petition to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD and found that there is no competent medical evidence linking any of the claimed disabilities, including PTSD, kidney disability, liver disability, or hypertension, to service. The veteran's claims were not granted.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the veteran's claims of service connection due to radiation exposure, asbestos exposure, and other conditions. The case is being remanded for additional examinations and opinions.

The VA determined that the veteran's renal failure was not caused by carelessness, negligence, or lack of proper skill on the part of VA during his colonoscopy and subsequent treatment. The Board found no evidence to support a finding of fault.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of hepatitis, a kidney disorder, and hypertension as there is no current evidence linking these conditions to his military service.