The Board finds that the Veteran's long history of taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to treat his service-connected disabilities did not cause or aggravate his non-service-connected hypertension and chronic kidney disease, nor was it a primary cause of death. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is denied.
The deciding factor: The VA medical opinions found that the Veteran's NSAID use did not at least as likely as not cause or aggravate his non-service-connected hypertension or chronic kidney disease and it was not a primary or contributory cause of death.
- Claimed conditions
- Non-service-connected hypertension, Chronic kidney disease
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 11, 2018
- Citation
- 1821642
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1821642.
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: Granted
The Veteran's chronic kidney disease is rated at 60 percent throughout the appeal period. The claim for TDIU was denied due to lack of information regarding employment history.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need of regular aid and attendance due to his psychiatric symptoms.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's chronic kidney disease was granted an increased rating to 60 percent effective June 19, 2025. The decision is based on GFR results from July, August and September 2025.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic kidney disease was granted with an effective date of June 1, 2017. This is the earliest date that medical evidence showed a diagnosis of chronic kidney disease as secondary to his diabetes mellitus.
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