The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for kidney condition, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current disability and his military service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s STRs did not show signs or symptoms of nephrolithiasis or right kidney lipoma, and the first clinical evidence of these conditions was in August 2010. The absence of any clinical evidence of a kidney condition for years after service is one factor against finding a relationship between the current disability and service.
- Claimed conditions
- kidney condition, nephrolithiasis (kidney stones), benign right kidney lipoma
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 16, 2020
- Citation
- 20079572
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 20079572.
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 initial 30 percent rating for nephrolithiasis (kidney stones) is granted. The appeal of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is dismissed, as the claim was previously adjudicated and granted in a prior decision. The left knee Baker's cyst issue remains pending and requires further action.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for further review of the evidence. The Board is unable to determine if there was a factual increase in disability prior to the effective dates requested, or if service connection should be granted based on the current evidence.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes, diabetic neuropathy, heart condition, eye conditions, depression, and loss of sex drive due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran was not provided with VA examinations for these issues.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of July 26, 2022, for a 10 percent rating for nephrolithiasis and ureterolithiasis with chronic UTIs is granted. The claim for an earlier effective date for the lumbar spine disability remains pending.
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