The Veteran's claim for service connection for high cholesterol is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a disability. The Board finds that his current acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depressive disorders, was incurred during service.,Service connection granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder and depressive disorder). The Board found in favor of the Veteran's claim based on evidence showing he had mental health complaints during service and continued to experience similar symptoms since service. ,The Veteran's tension headaches are secondary to his service-connected hypertension and anxiety disorders, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.,Service connection is denied for joint pain, muscle pain, stomach disorder, skin disorder, chest pain (related to hypertension), and erectile dysfunction as there was insufficient evidence provided by the Veteran or VA records.,The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of his hypertension disability is remanded due to outstanding treatment records and an examination being needed to determine its current severity.

The deciding factor: High cholesterol is not considered a disability, so service connection cannot be granted. The acquired psychiatric disorder was found to have been incurred during service.,The Veteran's mental health disorders were determined to have begun in service based on his history and VA records. Service connection was granted as the evidence was in equipoise.,The tension headaches are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension and anxiety disorders, making it a valid claim for secondary service connection.,Service connection is denied because there is insufficient evidence of current disabilities or their relationship to service. The claims for higher evaluation of hypertension disability require additional VA records and examination.,The Veteran's hypertension disability requires further review due to outstanding treatment records and an examination needed to determine its severity.

Claimed conditions

High cholesterol, Acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder and depressive disorder), Joint pain, Muscle pain, Stomach disorder, Skin disorder, Chest pain, Erectile dysfunction

How they argued it

Not specified

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

May 7, 2019

Citation

19135216

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 19135216.