The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied as there is no evidence of its onset during or within one year after his military service. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a direct service connection due to lack of in-service diagnosis and post-service medical records showing onset of hypertension. Service connection on a secondary basis was also denied because there was no competent evidence linking the hypertension to his service-connected PTSD or herbicide exposure. For PTSD, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating from 30% to over 70% was granted.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that while the Veteran had PTSD and a history of hypertension, there was insufficient medical evidence to establish a direct link between his service-connected PTSD and his hypertension. The Board also found no evidence linking his hypertension to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.
- Claimed conditions
- hypertension, PTSD
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- July 29, 2013
- Citation
- 1324024
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 1324024.
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 Board of Veterans' Appeals has granted service connection for PTSD and Mood Disorders, both presumed conditions under the PACT Act.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to conflicting opinions regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and skin disabilities related to herbicide exposure.
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