The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is denied. The initial rating of 20 percent for the lower back condition prior to September 1, 2017 is granted, but a higher rating in excess of 20 percent thereafter and in excess of 40 percent from December 13, 2019 is denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's hypertension began during service or was related to any in-service injury. The VA examiner opined that the Veteran’s hypertension was less likely than not incurred in or caused by military service. For the lower back condition, the VA examination showed no ankylosis and limited range of motion, which did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Hypertension, Lower Back Condition (Lumbar Arthritis; Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Syndrome; Lumbar Stenosis)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- February 3, 2021
- Citation
- 21006168
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 21006168.
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.
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