The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The decision also noted that the Veteran had not been diagnosed with hypertension in accordance with VA regulations.
The deciding factor: Hypertension was not incurred or aggravated by service, nor can it be presumed to have been incurred therein.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine, with spondylolistheses, Peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity (sciatic nerve), Peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity (sciatic nerve)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- January 15, 2020
- Citation
- 20003585
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 Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and an effective date of August 13, 2019, for the grant of Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance.
- Denied
The appeal for an increased rating for left hip, the claims for entitlement to an earlier effective date and an increased rating for right knee strain, and the appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for left shoulder strain were dismissed. The claim for a 40 percent rating from June 24, 2021 for degenerative disc disease was granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a lumbar spine disability as secondary to a cervical spine disability due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for posttraumatic stress disorder, service connection for gallbladder disease and functional gastrointestinal disorders, and remanded claims for peripheral neuropathy, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and residuals of liver disease.
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.