Chronic Kidney Disease / Nephritis
Often secondary to diabetes or hypertension.
Often claimed secondary to
If you're already service-connected for any of these, Chronic Kidney Disease / Nephritis is often a viable secondary claim.
Diabetes Mellitus, Type II
Agent Orange presumptive. Triggers cascade of secondaries: neuropathy, ED, retinopathy, kidney disease.
Hypertension
High blood pressure. PACT Act added for Vietnam veterans. Common as secondary to PTSD, sleep apnea, diabetes.
Filing this claim
For most veterans this is filed as a secondary claim. You need a nexus letter linking it to a service-connected primary condition. Use the letter generators to draft your nexus letter and Statement in Support of Claim.
Step by step
- File an Intent to File (Form 21-0966) to lock your effective date.
- Confirm you have a current medical diagnosis in a medical record.
- Get a nexus letter — magic phrase: "at least as likely as not."
- Write a Statement in Support of Claim (21-4138).
- If applicable, gather buddy statements (21-10210).
- File the formal 21-526EZ.
Source: 38 CFR §4.115a. For exact regulatory language, consult eCFR Title 38. This is general education — for your specific case, consult a VA-accredited representative.