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Denied

The Veteran's hypertension and left knee disability, including a meniscal tear, are not service-connected. The initial rating for the left knee disability is denied as it does not meet the criteria for an increased rating. A separate 20 percent rating for the left knee meniscal tear is granted.

The deciding factor: The evidence did not establish that hypertension was incurred in or aggravated by service and there were no symptoms of a knee disability until after separation from service, precluding presumptive service connection under VA regulations.

Claimed conditions
hypertension, left knee internal derangement and degenerative joint disease, left knee meniscal tear
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
10%
Decision date
July 30, 2019
Citation
19158741

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 19158741.

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