The Veteran's service connection for hypertension is granted. The increased rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder and the TDIU from September 4, 2015 to September 20, 2017 are granted. A disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is denied. Special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate is granted. The service connection for a headache disorder is remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's hypertension was found to be related to his exposure to herbicide agents during service, and he meets the criteria for service connection based on this presumption of exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- hypertension, PTSD with major depressive disorder
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- November 19, 2019
- Citation
- 19186455
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for headaches and increased ratings for left shoulder rotator cuff tear, right shoulder rotator cuff tear, hypertension, and left and right leg restless leg syndrome. The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder.
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