The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension, status post L5-S1 laminectomy, and post-traumatic arthritis of the left shoulder. The veteran's hypertension was not found to meet criteria warranting a compensable rating. For his status post L5-S1 laminectomy, the RO had assigned a 20 percent evaluation based on recurring attacks of moderate intervertebral disc syndrome with resolution in favor of the veteran. However, the Board determined that this evaluation did not meet the criteria for an increased rating under current regulations. The claim for post-traumatic arthritis of the left shoulder was also denied as there were no findings meeting the criteria for a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not show sufficient impairment to warrant any increase in ratings, and the RO's evaluation for status post L5-S1 laminectomy was based on subjective symptoms rather than objective findings that would support an increased rating under current regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- Hypertension, Post-traumatic arthritis of the AC joint of the left shoulder, Post-traumatic arthritis of the right ankle, Status post L5-S1 laminectomy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 15, 2006
- Citation
- 0629327
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,084 · Granted: 20% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
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 0629327.
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 claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that it did not manifest during service and is not causally related to the Veteran's exposure to herbicides or service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and active duty service or herbicide exposure.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and has remanded the issue of an increased rating for skin condition.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's 10% rating for hypertension effective December 1, 2025 and denied a rating in excess of 10%. The reduction from 10% to noncompensable was not proper.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.