{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/kidney-disease","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:03.828Z","data_as_of":{"decisions":944125,"first_year":2017,"last_year":2026,"latest_decision":"2026-04-30","cfr":"2026-10-01","m21":"2026-09-29"},"about":{"publisher":"CaseScribe AI (VA Law Explorer)","source":"Public Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions (appeals of VA decisions, not VA's first decisions), M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, 38 CFR Parts 3 and 4.","method":"Outcomes are issue-level: each condition the Board decided in a decision counts once. Decision data is extracted by AI and can contain errors. Rates describe past appeals and do not predict any claim.","disclaimer":"For research only. CaseScribe AI is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Verify figures against the source decisions and regulations.","attribution":"Cite as: VA Law Explorer, CaseScribe AI, with the page URL."},"data":{"condition":"Kidney disease","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":7185,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":17.6,"denied_pct":35.2,"remanded_pct":46.6,"granted_on_merits_pct":33.3,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":470,"granted_pct":11.7,"denied_pct":44.5,"remanded_pct":38.7},{"year":2018,"issues":723,"granted_pct":14.1,"denied_pct":42,"remanded_pct":40.2},{"year":2019,"issues":889,"granted_pct":13.3,"denied_pct":38.8,"remanded_pct":46.3},{"year":2020,"issues":878,"granted_pct":13.3,"denied_pct":38.8,"remanded_pct":46.2},{"year":2021,"issues":801,"granted_pct":14.9,"denied_pct":33.5,"remanded_pct":49.7},{"year":2022,"issues":868,"granted_pct":17.7,"denied_pct":30,"remanded_pct":50.6},{"year":2023,"issues":902,"granted_pct":19.3,"denied_pct":29.9,"remanded_pct":49},{"year":2024,"issues":787,"granted_pct":22.7,"denied_pct":31.1,"remanded_pct":45.2},{"year":2025,"issues":838,"granted_pct":21.8,"denied_pct":33.9,"remanded_pct":43.1},{"year":2026,"issues":313,"granted_pct":27.5,"denied_pct":28.1,"remanded_pct":43.5}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":69.7,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":795,"granted_pct_with":59.8,"granted_pct_without":28.3},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":5090,"granted_pct_with":31.1,"granted_pct_without":41.8},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":1122,"granted_pct_with":71,"granted_pct_without":22.7},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":3567,"granted_pct_with":31.2,"granted_pct_without":35.6},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":2443,"granted_pct_with":45.7,"granted_pct_without":24.7},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":492,"granted_pct_with":58.3,"granted_pct_without":30.9},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":5193,"granted_pct_with":28.3,"granted_pct_without":51.5},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":145,"granted_pct_with":45.2,"granted_pct_without":33},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":341,"granted_pct_with":37.3,"granted_pct_without":33}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":163},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":127},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":77},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":10},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":10},{"reason":"aggravated by the service-connected disability","decisions":9}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":258},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":248},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":210},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":194},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":193},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":81}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"26005107","year":2026,"judge":"GAYLE STROMMEN","rationale":"Current disability established; In-service incurrence established through documentation and medical literature; Nexus established by probative evidence and inadequate negative opinions"},{"case_id":"A26040908","year":2026,"judge":"MARCUS N. FULTON","rationale":"Recurrent stone formation requiring drug therapy; Prior version of DC 7508 criteria applied; 30 percent rating is highest available"},{"case_id":"A26040129","year":2026,"judge":"W. DAKNIS","rationale":"Multiple opinions relate kidney disease to DMII and hypertension.; November 2023, June 2024, and August 2025 VA examiners opined kidney disease is secondary to DMII.; January 2026 VA examination noted hypertension and renal disease are complications of DMII."}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26040570","year":2026,"judge":"TIFFANY DAWSON","rationale":"No medical nexus established between tinnitus and chronic kidney disease.; VA opinions found conditions to be separate entities.; Medical literature failed to support a pathophysiological relationship."},{"case_id":"A26040565","year":2026,"judge":"J. B. FREEMAN","rationale":"No current diagnosis of kidney disease; Acute renal failure likely due to supplements/diet; No chronic kidney condition found"},{"case_id":"A26039787","year":2026,"judge":"CYNTHIA M. BRUCE","rationale":"Service connection for primary condition (diabetes mellitus) denied; Cannot establish secondary condition without primary condition service connection"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}