The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertensive heart disease and right index finger disability, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability by reason of service-connected disabilities. The veteran's claim for dependents' educational assistance benefits was also denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable VA rating schedule and regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- Hypertensive heart disease, Right index finger disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- March 17, 2005
- Citation
- 0507939
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0507939.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's heart conditions and PTSD were rated at their highest levels (100% for heart conditions, 70% for PTSD) effective December 11, 2019. Additionally, the Veteran was granted benefits related to his disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for hypertension (HTN) and has remanded the issues of service connection for cardiomegaly and hypertensive heart disease.
- Granted
The Veteran's right index finger disability is granted as service-connected. The left shoulder disability issue requires further examination and review.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease (CAD) with bypass graft as secondary to type II diabetes mellitus, and granted a 20 percent disability rating from July 15, 2021 through February 15, 2023 for certain diabetic neuropathies, while denying earlier effective dates and increased ratings for other conditions.
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