The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current bilateral hip disability, his dry eye syndrome was aggravated by medications for hypertensive heart disease, and his hypertensive heart disease met the criteria for a 60 percent rating but not higher.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner determined the Veteran does not currently have a bilateral hip disability. The Board found that the Veteran's dry eye syndrome is secondary to his service-connected hypertensive heart disease. The VA examiner also concluded that the Veteran's hypertensive heart disease met the criteria for a 60 percent rating but not higher.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Foot Disorder, Bilateral Hip Disorder, Eye Condition (other than dry eye syndrome), Dry Eye Syndrome, Hypertensive Heart Disease, Renal Insufficiency
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 5, 2013
- Citation
- 1340256
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 1340256.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's CAD warrants a 60 percent rating, but the Board has determined that an earlier effective date is warranted due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding direct service connection.
- Granted
The Board granted a 30 percent rating for coronary heart disease effective February 10, 2021. The Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for an earlier effective date or increased rating.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted SMC at the rate of 50% for his service-connected conditions from April 20, 2020 to June 7, 2021.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted an earlier effective date of December 12, 2017 for the award of service connection for dry eye syndrome. The issue of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for dry eye syndrome is remanded.
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