The Board has determined that new evidence has been received to reconsider the claims for service connection for chronic kidney disease (CKD) and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.
The deciding factor: The medical opinion provided by the VA examiner was inadequate, failing to address all relevant evidence of record and providing insufficient analysis regarding the etiology of the Veteran's conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic kidney disease (CKD), acquired psychiatric disorder (likely AUD)
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 29, 2026
- Citation
- A26040089
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 A26040089.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic kidney disease (CKD) with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is denied as the earliest effective date possible is August 2, 2024. The PACT Act did not establish CKD as a presumptive disease relating to herbicide agent exposure and MGUS was diagnosed after the liberalizing law.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is granted with an effective date of September 28, 2023. The effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) based on permanent and total disability status is also set to this date.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of chronic kidney disease, and the Board dismissed the claim.
- Granted
The Veteran's chronic kidney disease (CKD) is at least as likely as not caused by his active duty service, specifically exposure to aqueous film forming foam (AFFF). The Board finds the evidence in relative equipoise regarding this claim and grants it.
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