The Board denied service connection for hypertension, CVA/stroke as secondary to hypertension, bilateral lower extremity PVD as secondary to hypertension, right middle ear cholesteatoma, and left middle ear cholesteatoma. The reasons include the lack of a showing of chronic symptoms in service or within one year after separation from service, and the absence of evidence linking these conditions to military service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was no evidence of hypertension in service or within one year after separation, and thus could not establish presumptive service connection. The Veteran's assertions were deemed not credible due to lack of contemporaneous medical records showing symptoms during service.
- Claimed conditions
- Hypertension, Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)/Stroke, Right Lower Extremity Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD), Left Lower Extremity PVD, Right Middle Ear Cholesteatoma, Left Middle Ear Cholesteatoma
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 16, 2020
- Citation
- A20018640
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 A20018640.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and has remanded the issue of an increased rating for skin condition.
- 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.