The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cardiovascular disease including hypertension and increased ratings for his thoracolumbar spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities.
The deciding factor: There was no competent medical evidence demonstrating a current diagnosis of cardiovascular disease other than hypertension or an etiologic link between military service and essential hypertension first demonstrated several years following separation from service. The veteran's disability of the thoracolumbar spine, left knee, and right knee were not found to warrant higher ratings based on their respective diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- cardiovascular disease including hypertension
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 31, 2005
- Citation
- 0502244
Veterans Law Judge
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 0502244.
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 of entitlement to service connection for a genitourinary disorder, cardiovascular disease including hypertension, and gastrointestinal disorder. The appellant did not provide sufficient evidence to establish these conditions were related to his military service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to changes in the law brought about by the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 and Charles v. Principi, 16 Vet. App. 370 (2002); Quartuccio v. Principi, 16 Vet. App. 183 (2002).
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board found that the appellant's genitourinary, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal disorders did not have their onset during service or are otherwise related to active duty. The claims for service connection were therefore denied.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cardiovascular disease including hypertension, and entitlement to increased ratings for his thoracolumbar spine disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability.
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