The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, likely PTSD, was granted. Service connection for tinnitus and hypertension were also granted. However, the claims for a cervical spine disability, peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, and other conditions remain denied due to lack of new material evidence.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service records showed elevated blood pressure readings in August 2005, which is considered hypertension. The VA examiner concluded that the hypertension was not related to service, but the Board found that the preponderance of evidence was against this conclusion and granted service connection for hypertension based on relative balance of positive and negative evidence.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired psychiatric disorder (likely PTSD), Tinnitus, Hypertension, Cervical spine disability, Peripheral neuropathy of left upper extremity, Peripheral neuropathy of right upper extremity, Peripheral neuropathy of left lower extremity, Peripheral neuropathy of right lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 0%
- Decision date
- November 20, 2018
- Citation
- 18151535
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 18151535.
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 service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to 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.
- 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 claims for a higher rating for PTSD and dismissed his appeals regarding increased ratings for tinnitus and a right hand disability due to lack of timely filing of Notice of Disagreement.
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