The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, residuals of kidney transplant surgery as secondary to hypertension, and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a left heel spur prior to November 19, 2019, are all denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection on any basis.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's hypertension was not shown as chronic during service or within a presumptive period and continuity of symptomatology is not established. Service connection for residuals of kidney transplant surgery as secondary to hypertension is also denied because the disability is the result of non-service-connected hypertension. The initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a left heel spur prior to November 19, 2019, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter is denied due to lack of evidence supporting higher ratings under the applicable criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- Hypertension, Residuals of kidney transplant surgery, Left heel spur
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 25, 2022
- Citation
- 22017458
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 22017458.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and has remanded the issue of an increased rating for skin condition.
- Whole decision: 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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