The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in service and is not related to service. The Board has granted a higher initial disability rating of 30 percent for left hand cold injury residuals from May 20, 2013.,The Veteran's right hand and right knee disabilities have been remanded as the VA examiners did not assess additional limitation of function due to flare-ups during their examinations.
The deciding factor: Service connection for hypertension was denied because there were no cardiovascular symptoms or diagnoses in service, and the earliest diagnosis post-service is over two decades after separation. The Veteran's left hand cold injury residuals have been rated as a combination of cold sensitivity, numbness, tissue loss, and osteoarthritis.,The VA examiners did not assess additional limitation of function due to flare-ups during their examinations, which could affect the determination of higher initial disability ratings for right hand and right knee disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- Hypertension, Left Hand Cold Injury Residuals, Right Hand Disability, Right Knee Disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- August 30, 2018
- Citation
- 18130725
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 18130725.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities are rated at 10% each, and the Board finds that higher ratings are not warranted based on the evidence of record.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are not related to his active service, and thus denied both claims for service connection.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability, finding that there is no evidence to support an etiological relationship between his current condition and his military service.
- 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.
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.