The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates for service-connected hypertension, PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder, gouty arthritis of the ring and little finger on the right hand, prostate cancer (previously claimed), sleep apnea syndromes, bilateral hearing loss, and diabetes mellitus type II are all denied.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for gouty arthritis of the ring and little finger on the right hand is remanded. The claims for service connection for carcinoma of the prostate (previously claimed), sleep apnea syndromes, bilateral hearing loss, and diabetes mellitus type II are also remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 20, 2017 for service-connected PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is denied. The claims for service connection for prostate cancer (previously claimed), sleep apnea syndromes, bilateral hearing loss, and diabetes mellitus type II are also remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's hypertension was rated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 7101. The evidence did not show diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more, thus a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder was rated as 70 percent disabling under the General Formula for Mental Disorders (General Formula). The evidence did not show symptoms that would warrant a 100 percent rating, such as gross impairment in thought processes or communication; persistent delusions or hallucinations; grossly inappropriate behavior; persistent danger of hurting self or others; intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living (including maintenance of minimal personal hygiene); disorientation to time or place; or memory loss for names of close relatives, own occupation or own name.,The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder was rated as 70 percent disabling under the General Formula for Mental Disorders (General Formula). The evidence did not show symptoms that would warrant a 100 percent rating, such as gross impairment in thought processes or communication; persistent delusions or hallucinations; grossly inappropriate behavior; persistent danger of hurting self or others; intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living (including maintenance of minimal personal hygiene); disorientation to time or place; or memory loss for names of close relatives, own occupation or own name.,The Veteran's gouty arthritis of the ring and little finger on the right hand is not rated as compensable under any applicable diagnostic code. The claims for service connection for carcinoma of the prostate (previously claimed), sleep apnea syndromes, bilateral hearing loss, and diabetes mellitus type II are also remanded.,The Veteran's prostate cancer (previously claimed) was not awarded prior to April 20, 2017. The claims for service connection for carcinoma of the prostate (previously claimed), sleep apnea syndromes, bilateral hearing loss, and diabetes mellitus type II are also remanded.,The Veteran's sleep apnea syndromes were not awarded prior to April 20, 2017. The claims for service connection for carcinoma of the prostate (previously claimed), sleep apnea syndromes, bilateral hearing loss, and diabetes mellitus type II are also remanded.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not awarded prior to April 20, 2017. The claims for service connection for carcinoma of the prostate (previously claimed), sleep apnea syndromes, bilateral hearing loss, and diabetes mellitus type II are also remanded.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II was not awarded prior to April 20, 2017. The claims for service connection for carcinoma of the prostate (previously claimed), sleep apnea syndromes, bilateral hearing loss, and diabetes mellitus type II are also remanded.
- Claimed conditions
- Hypertension, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with unspecified depressive disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 16, 2019
- Citation
- 19154745
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 19154745.
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
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and has remanded the issue of an increased rating for skin condition.
- Whole decision: 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.