{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/secondary/kidney-disease-secondary-to-diabetes","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:29.735Z","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":{"claim":"Kidney disease secondary to diabetes","secondary_condition":"Kidney disease","service_connected_disability":"diabetes","decisions":907,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":26.5,"denied_pct":24.1,"remanded_pct":48.7,"granted_on_merits_pct":52.3,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":67,"granted_pct":16.4,"denied_pct":35.8,"remanded_pct":47.8},{"year":2018,"issues":87,"granted_pct":27.6,"denied_pct":25.3,"remanded_pct":47.1},{"year":2019,"issues":127,"granted_pct":26,"denied_pct":24.4,"remanded_pct":48.8},{"year":2020,"issues":115,"granted_pct":16.5,"denied_pct":27,"remanded_pct":54.8},{"year":2021,"issues":118,"granted_pct":16.9,"denied_pct":22.9,"remanded_pct":58.5},{"year":2022,"issues":104,"granted_pct":26,"denied_pct":24,"remanded_pct":50},{"year":2023,"issues":105,"granted_pct":37.1,"denied_pct":22.9,"remanded_pct":40},{"year":2024,"issues":90,"granted_pct":42.2,"denied_pct":21.1,"remanded_pct":36.7},{"year":2025,"issues":70,"granted_pct":31.4,"denied_pct":14.3,"remanded_pct":51.4},{"year":2026,"issues":28,"granted_pct":32.1,"denied_pct":25,"remanded_pct":42.9}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":68.3,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":150,"granted_pct_with":73.8,"granted_pct_without":44.5},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":598,"granted_pct_with":49.2,"granted_pct_without":59.6},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":193,"granted_pct_with":86.3,"granted_pct_without":36.4},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":435,"granted_pct_with":47.7,"granted_pct_without":57.1},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":327,"granted_pct_with":60.5,"granted_pct_without":45.1},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":67,"granted_pct_with":75.5,"granted_pct_without":49.5},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":630,"granted_pct_with":45.6,"granted_pct_without":71.4},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":56,"granted_pct_with":65.6,"granted_pct_without":51.3}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":51},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":41},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":26},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":4},{"reason":"aggravated by the service-connected disability","decisions":4},{"reason":"service connection granted on a secondary basis","decisions":3}],"denied":[{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":26},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":23},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":18},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":15},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":7},{"reason":"service connection for diabetes mellitus denied","decisions":6}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"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."},{"case_id":"26003703","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL LANE","rationale":"Current diagnosis of nephropathy established; Conflicting medical evidence on nexus to diabetes; Evidence in equipoise regarding causation by diabetes; Benefit of the doubt applied for grant"},{"case_id":"A26025129","year":2026,"judge":"PAUL SORISIO","rationale":"Diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy; Secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2"}],"denied":[{"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"},{"case_id":"A26026259","year":2026,"judge":"L. HOWELL","rationale":"No current diagnosis of kidney disorder; STRs silent for kidney complaints; Veteran denied kidney trouble at separation"},{"case_id":"26003007","year":2026,"judge":"KRISTY L. ZADORA","rationale":"Service treatment records negative for kidney disorder.; Post-service diagnosis in 2001, outside presumptive period.; VA opinions found no nexus to service or hypertension."}]},"how_argued":{"note":"From keyword matches in each issue's AI summary and rationale, not the full decision. Only issues whose text names a medical link are counted under pathways; one issue can name several. A link named in a denial was often the argument the Board rejected.","issues":911,"aggravation_discussed":{"issues":222,"granted_pct":15.3},"causation_only":{"issues":689,"granted_pct":30.2},"issues_naming_a_pathway_pct":2.4,"pathways":[{"pathway":"Medication side effects","issues":11,"granted_pct":27.3,"examples":[{"case_id":"23056029","year":2023,"outcome":"GRANTED","quote":"However, the Board granted service connection on a secondary basis, finding the evidence in relative equipoise regarding whether service-connected diabetes and hypertension, or NSAID use, caused the condition."},{"case_id":"21008959","year":2021,"outcome":"DENIED","quote":"Private physician letters acknowledged medication maintained kidney function but did not assert improvement was solely due to medication."}]}]},"how_va_rates":null,"requirements":"38 CFR 3.310: a current diagnosis, a service-connected disability, and medical evidence that it caused (3.310(a)) or aggravated (3.310(b)) the condition."}}