The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his cervical and thoracolumbar spine, left ankle arthritis with pain on motion, hypertension, and posttraumatic headaches were denied. The effective dates for the 20 percent ratings assigned to these conditions have been confirmed.
The deciding factor: The VA determined that the evidence did not support an increase in evaluation above 20 percent for any of the service-connected disabilities at issue.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical spine arthritis, Thoracolumbar spine arthritis, Left ankle arthritis with pain on motion, Hypertension, Posttraumatic headaches
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 27, 2014
- Citation
- 1403517
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 1403517.
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 Veteran's initial claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a brain hemorrhage was denied. The reduction of the rating for service-connected lumbar spine disability from 40 percent to 20 percent effective April 8, 2015, and the reduction of the rating for service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI) from 40 percent to 10 percent effective April 8, 2015, were granted.
- 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.
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