The Veteran's kidney disorder is being remanded for a VA examiner to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner needs to determine if the Veteran’s kidney disorder was permanently worsened by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), Diabetes Mellitus, Type II
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 28, 2018
- Citation
- 18153541
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 18153541.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD alone is sufficient to grant a TDIU, and his other service-connected disabilities are at least 60% combined. The Veteran also meets the criteria for SMC based on housebound status.
- Denied
The Veteran's CKD did not result in a GFR score of 59 mL/min/1.73 m2 or lower for at least three consecutive months during any 12-month period, nor did it require regular routine dialysis or make him eligible for a kidney transplant. Therefore, the claim for an initial compensable rating for CKD is denied.
- Granted
The Board has granted an initial 80 percent evaluation for the Veteran's Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), stage IV, effective November 18, 2025.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations and effective dates have been denied. The Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are currently rated at 60 percent, 20 percent, and varying percentages respectively.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.