The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date and a compensable rating for service-connected umbilical hernia and hypertension was denied. The Board found that the criteria for a 20% rating for umbilical hernia prior to November 16, 2018 did not meet the established criteria under VA regulations. For hypertension, the evidence showed diastolic readings predominantly below 100 and systolic readings predominantly below 160, which precluded a compensable rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected conditions were rated based on their current manifestations rather than when they arose or when entitlement to benefits accrued.
- Claimed conditions
- umbilical hernia, hypertension
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 22, 2019
- Citation
- A19000992
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,810 · Granted: 23% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 A19000992.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
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- Whole decision: 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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