The Veteran's bradycardia has been rated based on the workload of 13 METs prior to May 6, 2009 and 8 METs from that date. The right knee condition is currently rated as 10 percent disabling before May 2011 and 40 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's chondromalacia patellofemoral pain syndrome (right knee) has been rated at 10 percent since the initial rating decision in March 2002. The lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease is currently rated as 10 percent before May 2011 and 40 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's hypertension was previously managed with medication, and diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more. The hiatal hernia with esophageal reflux is currently rated as 10 percent before May 2011 and 30 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's anal fissure has not been shown to be present, thus no rating can be assigned for this condition.,New evidence submitted includes medical records that suggest the headaches may have a neurological cause rather than being secondary to gastroenteritis. The left knee disability is related to service due to its onset during active duty.,The Veteran's sleep apnea and depression or other psychiatric disorder are both considered secondary to hypertension and pain from service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's bradycardia has not met the criteria for a higher rating based on the workload of 13 METs prior to May 6, 2009 and 8 METs thereafter.,The right knee condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it is currently rated at 10 percent. The lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease has been rated at 40 percent since May 2011, which meets the maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 5292.,The Veteran's hypertension does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more is not shown. The hiatal hernia with esophageal reflux has been rated at 30 percent since May 2011, which meets the maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 7346.,The anal fissure condition does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as it is asymptomatic. The Veteran's headaches and left knee disability are considered secondary to hypertension and pain from service-connected disabilities.,New evidence submitted includes medical records that suggest the headaches may have a neurological cause rather than being secondary to gastroenteritis. The left knee disability is related to service due to its onset during active duty.,The Veteran's sleep apnea and depression or other psychiatric disorder are both considered secondary to hypertension and pain from service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- Bradycardia, Chondromalacia patellofemoral pain syndrome (right knee), Lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease, Hypertension, Hiatal hernia with esophageal reflux, Anal fissure
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 2, 2012
- Citation
- 1234274
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 1234274.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
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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