The veteran's hypertension and cardiovascular disease are service-connected. Service connection for hepatitis was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for abnormal blood (hypertriglyceridemia) is also denied as it does not constitute a disability. Service connection for a psychiatric disorder secondary to diabetes mellitus is granted, but chronic renal insufficiency remains unestablished.
The deciding factor: The veteran's hypertension and cardiovascular disease are service-connected due to their association with his diabetes mellitus. The claim for hepatitis was denied as no new evidence has been provided. The abnormal blood condition does not constitute a compensable disability. Service connection for the psychiatric disorder is granted as it is secondary to the service-connected diabetes.
- Claimed conditions
- Hypertension, Cardiovascular Disease, Psychiatric Disorder (Major Depressive Disorder), Chronic Renal Insufficiency
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- June 29, 2007
- Citation
- 0719755
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 0719755.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- 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.
- 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.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and has remanded the issue of an increased rating for skin condition.
- 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.