The Veteran's spouse is not eligible for DEA benefits because the Veteran does not have a permanent and total service-connected disability.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's nephrotic syndrome was rated 100% disabling but improved after a kidney transplant, making it not permanently and totally disabling.
- Claimed conditions
- nephrotic syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 15, 2016
- Citation
- 1610276
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1610276.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for lupus nephritis and nephrotic syndrome to correct duty to assist errors, specifically due to an inadequate October 2021 VA examination.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's kidney condition, including nephrotic syndrome and idiopathic glomerulonephritis, finding that his condition was incurred during service or is otherwise related to active-duty service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for nephrotic syndrome and dismissed the claim for diabetes. The Veteran's nephrotic syndrome is found to be related to in-service exposure to toxic chemicals, while his diabetes was not connected to service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for a kidney condition, specifically nephrotic syndrome, was reopened due to new and material evidence. The Board found that the pre-existing kidney disability existed before service but was aggravated during active duty. Therefore, direct service connection is granted.
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