The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, fibromyalgia, and other joint disorders, as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's active duty service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner determined that it is less likely than not that the Veteran's hypertension is related to an exposure event in Southwest Asia. The diagnosis of hypertension is more likely a result of genetics/age/obesity and not a result of an exposure event in Southwest Asia.
- Claimed conditions
- hypertension, fibromyalgia, generalized joint disorder (bilateral wrist pain and/or carpal tunnel syndrome and/or systemic degenerative arthritis of multiple joints including hands, elbows, and shoulders), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), obstructive sleep apnea, ring finger disability, left hand, foot disorders, right and left foot, traumatic brain injury (TBI) residuals (memory loss, vertigo, frequent migraine headaches), heat exposure residuals
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 11, 2022
- Citation
- 22001440
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for scarring, right orchiopexy and remanded the claim of asbestos exposure residuals. Other claims for service connection were denied.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of October 21, 2021, for the grant of service connection for hypertension.
- Dismissed
The appeal for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and bilateral vision condition was dismissed. Service connection for hypertension, congestive heart failure, and coronary artery disease was denied.
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