The Veteran's hypertension is rated as noncompensable, and the claim for a higher rating is denied.,For the period prior to April 20, 2017, the Veteran's right elbow sprain was rated at 10 percent. After that date, he is rated as noncompensable. The claim for an increased rating is denied.,The Veteran's tinnitus has been assigned the maximum authorized schedular rating of 10 percent and remains unchanged.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show that the Veteran’s hypertension more nearly approximates a higher evaluation based on diastolic blood pressure or systolic blood pressure being predominantly at certain levels, as required for a compensable rating under DC 7101. The Veteran's current treatment and medical records do not indicate any significant changes in his condition.,The VA examination reports from July 2013 and April 2017 did not show any limitation of motion or pain that would warrant a higher evaluation for the right elbow sprain prior to April 20, 2017. After this date, there was no evidence of functional loss due to pain.,The Veteran's tinnitus has been assigned the maximum schedular rating and remains unchanged.
- Claimed conditions
- hypertension, right elbow sprain, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 14, 2019
- Citation
- 19185771
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of October 21, 2021, for the grant of service connection for hypertension.
- Dismissed
The appeal for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and bilateral vision condition was dismissed. Service connection for hypertension, congestive heart failure, and coronary artery disease was denied.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including prostate cancer and related disabilities, urinary incontinence, sleep apnea, hypertension, varicose veins, lumbar spine disability, hip arthritis, shoulder arthritis, ankle arthritis, knee strain, knee replacement, and hand arthritis. The only condition granted was a 10 percent rating for a fracture of the right proximal first metacarpal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for tinnitus to correct a duty to assist error, as the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptoms were not adequately considered in the previous decision.
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