Veterans who have served our country often face health challenges. Kidney failure in diabetes mellitus is a serious concern for many veterans seeking VA disability. This condition can significantly impact a veteran’s quality of life and ability to work. Understanding VA disability ratings is crucial for veterans seeking benefits. The connection between diabetes mellitus and kidney failure is well-established, with diabetes being a leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD). This link is particularly important when pursuing VA disability claims. Kidney failure in diabetes mellitus as a VA disability encompasses a range of issues, from early-stage kidney disease to end-stage renal failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant.
Understanding Diabetes Mellitus and Its Impact on Kidney Function
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition marked by high blood sugar. There are two main types: type 1 and type 2. Type 2 diabetes is more common, especially among veterans with acute kidney failure.
In type 2 diabetes, the body either doesn’t make enough insulin or resists its effects. Over time, high blood sugar can damage organs, especially the kidneys. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) reports diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease. It accounts for about 44% of new cases.
How Diabetes Affects the Kidneys
Diabetes can harm the kidneys in several ways, including blood vessel damage. High blood sugar narrows and clogs kidney blood vessels, impacting blood filtration. Another is nerve damage.
Diabetes can affect bladder nerves, leading to control issues. This increases the risk of urinary tract infections, harming the kidneys.
Increased blood pressure is another factor. Diabetes often coexists with high blood pressure, straining the kidneys. As kidney function declines, waste builds up in the blood, causing health problems. This progression from early kidney damage to kidney failure is slow, taking years.
Kidney Failure in Diabetes Mellitus as a VA Disability: Eligibility and Service Connection
For veterans seeking VA disability for kidney failure related to diabetes mellitus, service connection is key. There are two main ways to establish service connection:
Direct Service Connection
Direct service connection means the veteran’s kidney failure, or the diabetes causing it, started during or was caused by military service. Proving this can be challenging for conditions like diabetes. These health care issues often develop gradually. However, it’s possible with evidence of early signs or risk factors during service, like blood test results from the time.
Secondary Service Connection
More commonly, veterans qualify for secondary service connection. This is when kidney failure results from a service-connected condition like diabetes mellitus. If a veteran has service-connected diabetes and develops kidney problems, they may get additional VA disability benefits.
Diabetes mellitus is a presumptive condition for veterans exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam. If a veteran served in Vietnam and developed diabetes, the VA presumes a service connection. This makes establishing a service connection easier and simplifies the disability claim process.
VA Disability Ratings for Kidney Failure in Diabetes Mellitus
The VA rates kidney disease, including diabetic nephropathy, under the genitourinary system ratings. It uses renal dysfunction criteria found in 38 CFR § 4.115a. Ratings range from 0% to 100%, based on severity. These ratings factor in creatinine levels, glomerular filtration rate, and more.
Here’s a breakdown of VA disability ratings for renal failure and other kidney conditions, using diagnostic codes for accurate evaluations:
| Rating | Criteria |
| 100% | Requiring regular dialysis, or precluding more than sedentary activity due to persistent edema and albuminuria, or blood urea nitrogen (BUN) more than 80mg%, or creatinine more than 8mg%, or markedly decreased kidney function or other organ systems. |
| 80% | Persistent edema and albuminuria with BUN 40 to 80mg%, or creatinine 4 to 8mg%, or generalized poor health (lethargy, weakness, anorexia, weight loss, or limited exertion). Includes those experiencing nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue, and weakness. |
| 60% | Constant albuminuria with some edema, or definite decrease in kidney function, or hypertension at least 40% disabling. |
| 30% | Albumin constant or recurring with hyaline and granular casts or red blood cells, or transient or slight edema, or hypertension at least 10% disabling. |
| 0% | Albumin and casts with a history of acute nephritis or hypertension non-compensable under diagnostic code 7101. |
These VA ratings consider lab results, symptoms, and overall health impact. Veterans with kidney failure due to diabetes may have other related conditions eligible for additional ratings. Having a private treatment record is important when filing for disability benefits, especially at an advanced stage. Treatment records will be vital to the decision. This will affect what the VA rates the veteran. If the claim contains dangerous levels in blood tests, the better the claim. The percent rating given in claims can be confusing without private treatment records. The veterans affairs and the va rates kidney failure similarly but having additional records could sway the claim to have a larger percent rating. Kidney disease tends to come with other health care concerns, such as chronic kidney disease.
Special Considerations for Dialysis Patients
Veterans needing regular dialysis automatically get a 100% disability rating. This recognizes dialysis’s significant impact on daily life and ability to work. The VA reports that over 40,000 veterans receiving VA health care rely on dialysis. Some experience fatigue, weakness, and appetite changes.
Common Secondary Conditions Associated with Kidney Failure
Kidney failure in diabetes mellitus as a VA disability rarely occurs alone. Secondary conditions can arise from kidney dysfunction or the underlying diabetes. These conditions may also qualify for VA disability benefits if linked to service-connected kidney failure or diabetes.
Some common secondary conditions include:
- Hypertension (high blood pressure): both a cause and a consequence of kidney disease.
- Anemia: decreased red blood cell production as kidney function declines.
- Bone disease: kidney failure can disrupt mineral balance, weakening bones.
- Cardiovascular disease: a strong link exists between kidney disease and heart problems.
- Depression: dealing with chronic kidney failure can impact mental health.
- Peripheral neuropathy: nerve damage, common in diabetes, worsening with kidney disease.
Each condition might qualify for additional VA disability ratings, potentially increasing total compensation. Reduced kidney function and a restricted diet go hand-in-hand.
The Importance of Medical Evidence in VA Claims for Kidney Failure
Strong medical evidence is vital for VA disability claims related to diabetic nephropathy and kidney failure. The evidence must clearly show the progression and daily impact of the kidney condition.
Key elements of a strong claim:
- Detailed medical records of diabetes and kidney disease diagnosis and treatment.
- Lab results showing kidney function, including BUN and creatinine levels.
- Physician statements linking kidney failure to service-connected diabetes.
- Lay statements from the veteran and others about how the condition affects daily life and work. Such lay statements could describe decreased mental sharpness or issues like difficulty sleeping.
- Records of hospitalizations or emergency treatments for kidney problems.
- Dialysis treatment records, if applicable.
The VA assists veterans in getting medical records. However, providing ample evidence initially can expedite the claim.
Lifestyle Management for Veterans with Kidney Failure and Diabetes
Managing kidney failure and diabetes mellitus is challenging but possible. Veterans can take steps to improve their quality of life and their glomerular filtration rate.
These steps include:
- Blood sugar control: key to slowing kidney disease progression.
- Blood pressure management: protects kidneys from further damage.
- Dietary changes: a kidney-friendly, low sodium, potassium, and phosphorus diet can help. Weakness and sleep problems can be exacerbated by poor diet, as can symptoms like nausea, vomiting, appetite changes, fatigue, and weakness.
- Regular exercise: physical activity (as tolerated) manages both conditions. Problems with urination, decreased mental sharpness, and muscle weakness may make it hard to get normal kidney function back. Reduced kidney function may limit daily life.
- Medication adherence: crucial for managing both diabetes and kidney failure. These conditions sometimes start from high blood pressure.
- Regular check-ups: early detection of worsening kidney function is important.
The VA offers resources like nutrition counseling, diabetes education, and kidney care clinics.
Navigating the VA Claims Process for Kidney Failure
Filing a VA claim for kidney failure related to diabetes can be complex. Here’s a guide:
- Gather evidence: medical records, test results, and supporting statements.
- File the claim: online, by mail, or at a VA regional office. You can even file at a local Veterans Affairs office.
- Attend Compensation & Pension (C&P) exams to assess your condition. The exam may check for problems urinating.
- Review the VA’s decision for accuracy.
If you need help, seek expert guidance from Vet Claim Solutions to navigate the process effectively.
Conclusion
Kidney failure in diabetes mellitus as a VA disability significantly impacts veterans’ lives. Understanding how the VA rates this condition is crucial for seeking earned benefits. From service connection to evidence gathering and condition management, there’s much to consider. The VA rating assigned to a claim will significantly affect disability benefits received, especially for conditions like end-stage renal failure.