The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is denied as there is no evidence of its onset in service or within the presumptive period. The claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for small hiatal hernia, distal grade I reflux esophagitis, and erosive gastritis is also denied due to lack of symptoms warranting a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's hypertension was not shown to have had its onset during service or within the presumptive period, and there is no evidence linking it to service-connected diabetes mellitus or PTSD. The small hiatal hernia, reflux esophagitis, and gastritis do not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they do not present with symptoms such as dysphagia, pyrosis, regurgitation, hematemesis, or substernal pain.
- Claimed conditions
- hypertension, small hiatal hernia, distal grade I reflux esophagitis, erosive gastritis
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- October 29, 2018
- Citation
- 18145676
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 18145676.
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What you can do next
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The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to conflicting opinions regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and skin disabilities related to herbicide exposure.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and increased rating for anxiety disorder have been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current disability meeting the criteria for hypertension, and the Veteran's anxiety disorder does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
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