The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetic nephropathy, DDD of the lumbar spine and lumbar spondylosis with radiculopathy, posterior tibialis tenosynovitis of the right ankle, and arthritis of the right knee have been granted. The kidney condition is secondary to hypertension.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service records show he was exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during his active duty service, which is presumed due to his exposure period. However, nephritis (diabetic nephropathy) is not included in the diseases associated with such exposure for presumptive service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetic nephropathy, DDD of the lumbar spine and lumbar spondylosis with radiculopathy, posterior tibialis tenosynovitis of the right ankle, arthritis of the right knee
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 16, 2022
- Citation
- 22009320
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 22009320.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic nephropathy, and prostate cancer. The issues of entitlement to special monthly compensation based on housebound status and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) are remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to clarify the dates of bilateral partial foot amputations and their relationship to service-connected diabetes. The AOJ will obtain pertinent private treatment records to determine these details.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II (DM) and coronary artery disease (CAD), finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his active duty at Fort McClellan. The Board also found support for secondary service connection for diabetic neuropathy of various extremities, peripheral vascular disease, and gastroparesis as secondary to DM.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the service connection claims for diabetic nephropathy and prostate cancer due to exposure to Camp Lejeune contaminated water. The RO is instructed to obtain an addendum VA medical opinion regarding the relationship between these conditions and exposure to Camp Lejeune.
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.