The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury is granted. He is also awarded an initial compensable evaluation (10%) for hypertension, and a 20% evaluation for hemorrhoids prior to January 25, 2008. The Veteran's GERD is rated as 10%. These evaluations are effective from the date of service discharge.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner provided an opinion favorable to the Veteran regarding his residuals of a head injury. His testimony supported this finding. For hypertension, the evidence showed that the Veteran required continuous use of medications but did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on diastolic or systolic pressure readings. The Veteran's hemorrhoids were manifested by an anal fissure until January 24, 2008, when he underwent surgical treatment.
- Claimed conditions
- Residuals of Head Injury, Bilateral Hearing Loss, Enlarged Heart (Organic Disorder), Low Back Pain with Spondylosis, Hypertension, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), An Anal Fissure
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- May 26, 2011
- Citation
- 1120488
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 1120488.
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.
- 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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