Many veterans are afflicted with kidney disease which has been caused by diabetes or high blood pressure or both. These three medical conditions are often linked together. Diabetes can cause blood vessels to stiffen, which leads to high blood pressure. And high blood pressure accelerates the progression of kidney disease.

Exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides has put many Vietnam veterans at risk for type 2 diabetes. Veterans of all wars including the Gulf War, and the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars have a higher risk of diabetes due to the onset of post-deployment PTSD and depression. As a result they are more vulnerable to kidney disease.

For many veterans kidney disease can be a secondary service-connected disease and may qualify for an increase in VA disability compensation. A secondary service-connected disability is a disability that has resulted from a condition that is already service-connected. In claims for any secondary service connection, it is critically important to establish a nexus—that is a medical opinion which links a veteran’s secondary disability to their already service-connected disability. The nexus between your primary disability and your secondary disability must be clearly established in order to be granted secondary service connection for the disability.

In the case of kidney disease you must prove that your condition is due to or the result of your already service-connected type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure. To apply for secondary service connection for kidney disease, you must file a claim and demonstrate to the VA that you have a current diagnosis of kidney disease. You must also provide solid medical evidence showing the relationship between your diabetes or hypertension and your kidney disease.

VA disability cases involving secondary service connections can be tricky to win, but they can be won. If you believe you have a kidney condition that can be linked to your time in uniform, contact us at Cuddigan Law. We offer a free evaluation session where we can walk through your case with you and offer you professional advice. Disability law is all we do and we stand ready to support you.