The Veteran's ankle disability is currently rated as noncompensable prior to November 12, 2012 and at a 10 percent rating thereafter. The Veteran's hypertension has been rated as 10 percent disabling throughout the appeal period. His right scalp scar has been rated as 30 percent disabling since February 27, 2013. The Veteran’s right temple scar is currently rated as 20 percent disabling.,The Veteran's ankle disability and hypertension are not service-connected.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's ankle disability was found to have no additional limitation of motion due to pain or other factors prior to November 12, 2012. The Veteran underwent surgery in August 2013 which resulted in a temporary total rating. Following the surgery, his right ankle range of motion has been limited with pain and weakness, but not to a degree warranting an increased rating.,The Veteran's hypertension is controlled with medication throughout the appeal period. There is no showing of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more. However, there is a history of continuous need for medication due to diastolic blood pressure predominantly 100mmHg or more.,The Veteran's right scalp scar has not resulted in multiple characteristics of disfigurement as defined by the rating criteria. The current evaluation reflects stable and non-painful scars with no loss of skin or tissue, resulting in no distortion of facial features or limitation of function.,The Veteran’s right temple scar was characterized as stable and non-painful at a February 2013 VA examination. A November 2017 VA examiner confirmed the same findings.
- Claimed conditions
- Right ankle fracture, Hypertension, Scarring on right side of scalp, status post brain aneurysm surgery, Scarring on right temple, status post brain aneurysm surgery
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 24, 2018
- Citation
- 18105467
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 18105467.
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 denied the Veteran's motion to revise a March 1975 rating decision that assigned an initial noncompensable disability rating for service-connected right ankle fracture, finding no CUE in the decision.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and has remanded the issue of an increased rating for skin condition.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.