The VA denied an increased disability evaluation for hypertension with left ventricular hypertrophy, effective as of December 14, 1995, but prior to January 12, 1998, finding that the veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the old criteria for hypertensive heart disease and hypertensive vascular disease.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that as of December 14, 1995, but prior to January 12, 1998, the veteran's hypertension with left ventricular hypertrophy was characterized by enlargement of the heart with sustained diastolic hypertension ranging from 63 to 82, without dyspnea or other severe symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- hypertension with left ventricular hypertrophy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 13, 2003
- Citation
- 0320134
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0320134.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and a higher rating for hypertension with left ventricular hypertrophy, stating that the March 2010 decision was not in error.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection for tinnitus and for increase in rating for dry eye syndrome and exophthalmos due to procedural issues.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including an examination to assess his employability and consideration of whether he meets the criteria for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The veteran's hypertension with left ventricular hypertrophy is not adequately controlled despite medication use, and he claims his condition has worsened. The case is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his hypertension.
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