The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hypertensive retinopathy and ocular hypertension, as well as hypertensive nephropathy. The claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than depressive disorder and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional development.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's eye and kidney conditions are related to his service-connected hypertension.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral hypertensive retinopathy, Hypertensive nephropathy
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 1, 2020
- Citation
- 20076299
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 20076299.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, remanding several issues for further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's bilateral hypertensive retinopathy, including impairment caused by preoperative cataracts and diabetic retinopathy of the right eye, is currently rated as non-compensable. The case is remanded for further development.
- Granted
The Veteran's increased rating for CAD from August 11, 2006 to March 30, 2014, July 1, 2014 to October 9, 2016, and from February 1, 2017 is granted. The Veteran also receives increased ratings for hypertension and hypertensive nephropathy with specific effective dates.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, bilateral hypertensive retinopathy, bilateral cataracts, and a sleep disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.
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.