The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of hypertension, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hiatal hernia, and cervical spine disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in evaluation or service connection for any of these conditions.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not show current disabilities meeting the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable diagnostic codes, nor was there sufficient evidence to establish direct service connection for any of the claimed conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Hypertension, Bilateral Hearing Loss, Hiatal Hernia, Degenerative Disc Disease of the Cervical Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 18, 2009
- Citation
- 0923103
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 0923103.
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 bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claims for alcohol abuse and psychiatric disorder are remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.
- 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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The issue remains under direct service connection theory.
- 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.
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