The Veteran's Chronic Kidney Disease and Congestive Heart Failure were not shown as chronic in service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, and continuity of symptomatology is not established. The disabilities are not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,Service connection for Chronic Kidney Disease and Congestive Heart Failure was denied because there is no evidence that these conditions began during service or are at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that the disabilities were proximately due to or the result of, or aggravated beyond their natural progression by service-connected disability.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's Chronic Kidney Disease and Congestive Heart Failure are not shown as chronic in service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, and continuity of symptomatology is not established. The disabilities are not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), Heart Condition (Congestive Heart Failure)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 24, 2020
- Citation
- 20075105
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board found that the grant of service connection for chronic kidney disease was based on a clear and unmistakable error, as the January 2024 VA medical opinion was based on an inaccurate factual premise. The severance of service connection for CKD, effective February 1, 2025, was proper.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a rating higher than 60 percent for chronic kidney disease but granted a separate rating of 10 percent for hypertension. The Board also remanded service connection for cholecystectomy and entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an initial evaluation not to exceed 30 percent for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood for the period prior to August 8, 2023, but denied a higher rating since that date. The other service connection claims were remanded.
- Denied
The Board denied the claims for a separate compensable rating for service-connected CKD as a complication of diabetes mellitus, an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for CKD, and TDIU prior to December 11, 2012.
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