The Veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for mechanical low back pain, service connection for numbness and weakness of both arms and hands (with a separate evaluation for right leg neurologic manifestations), and hypertension were all denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for numbness and weakness of both arms and hands with a separate evaluation.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not support the claim that the Veteran's numbness and weakness of both arms and hands were related to military service or a service-connected disability, nor did it show that his hypertension was incurred in or aggravated by active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).
- Claimed conditions
- Mechanical low back pain, Numbness and weakness of both arms and hands, Hypertension
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- November 18, 2010
- Citation
- 1043426
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 1043426.
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.
- 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.
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