The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus. The initial rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy remains at 10 percent, but the Veteran is entitled to a higher rating due to his lumbar spondylosis and degenerative osteoarthritis.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran's hypertension was aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. For the right lower extremity radiculopathy, the Veteran's condition is rated at 10 percent based on mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve. However, due to new evidence and worsening symptoms since the last examination, a higher rating for lumbar spondylosis and degenerative osteoarthritis is granted.
- Claimed conditions
- Hypertension, Right lower extremity radiculopathy, Lumbar spondylosis and degenerative osteoarthritis
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- September 20, 2018
- Citation
- 18137125
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 18137125.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
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 has denied service connection for hypertension and has remanded the issue of an increased rating for skin condition.
- Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's 10% rating for hypertension effective December 1, 2025 and denied a rating in excess of 10%. The reduction from 10% to noncompensable was not proper.
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.