The Veteran's hypertension and glaucoma are not service-connected.,Right and left lower extremity varicose veins have been rated as 40 percent disabling, but the Veteran is seeking higher ratings. The Board finds that a rating in excess of 40 percent is not warranted at this time.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction may be related to Gulf War exposures, but further clarification is needed from an appropriate clinician.,Left and right knee strains have been rated as 10 percent disabling each, but the Veteran is seeking higher ratings. The Board finds that a rating in excess of 10 percent for both knees is not warranted at this time.,Lumbar spine degenerative joint disease has been rated as 20 percent disabling, but the Veteran is seeking a higher rating. The Board finds that a rating in excess of 20 percent is not warranted at this time.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of evidence does not support finding that hypertension or glaucoma began during service or are related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,Right and left lower extremity varicose veins have persistent edema and skin changes but no ulceration. The current rating is appropriate based on the Veteran's symptoms.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction may be related to Gulf War exposures, but further clarification is needed from an appropriate clinician.,Left and right knee strains have been rated as 10 percent disabling each, but the Veteran's description of flare-ups suggests more severe functional loss. Further examination is needed to determine if a higher rating is warranted.,Lumbar spine degenerative joint disease has been rated as 20 percent disabling, but further examination is needed to determine if a higher rating is warranted.
- Claimed conditions
- Hypertension, Glaucoma, Right Lower Extremity Varicose Veins, Left Lower Extremity Varicose Veins, Erectile Dysfunction, Peripheral Neuropathy/Radiculopathy of the Left Leg and Foot, Peripheral Neuropathy/Radiculopathy of the Right Leg and Foot, Right Knee Ligament and Nerve Damage, Left Knee Strain, Right Knee Strain, Lumbar Spine Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 25, 2021
- Citation
- 21032016
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 21032016.
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 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.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and has remanded the issue of an increased rating for skin condition.
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