The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, but no higher. The initial rating for service-connected lumbar strain has been granted at 40 percent from April 24, 2019.,Service connection was denied for erectile dysfunction, hiatal hernia/GERD, headaches, PTSD, joint problems, fatigue/shortness of breath, and TDIU.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's hypertension does not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating as his diastolic blood pressure is predominantly below 110 or systolic blood pressure is predominantly below 200.,Service connection was denied due to lack of evidence supporting service connection for the listed conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- hypertension, lumbar strain, erectile dysfunction, hiatal hernia/gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), headaches, acquired psychiatric disorder to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), joint problems, fatigue/shortness of breath
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 13, 2020
- Citation
- 20025217
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 20025217.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction was denied as the evidence did not show that he had been diagnosed and manifested to at least a 10 percent disability rating on or prior to May 8, 2001.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of records and will provide a supplemental statement of the case if necessary.
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