The Veteran's hypertension is granted as a result of herbicide agent exposure.,The scar on the right hand does not warrant a compensable rating.,Higher or separate ratings for hip disabilities are denied.,Increased ratings for knee conditions are granted.,Right knee instability and meniscal tear of the right knee are also granted.
The deciding factor: The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether hypertension was due to herbicide agent exposure, thus service connection is granted.,The scar on the right hand does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.,Higher or separate ratings for hip disabilities are denied because the maximum rating of 10 percent is already assigned for limited extension of the hips.,Increased ratings for knee conditions were granted based on evidence showing functional loss and pain during motion, which supports higher disability evaluations.,Right knee instability and meniscal tear of the right knee were also granted as they meet the criteria for increased disability ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- hypertension, scar on right hand, limited extension of left hip (manifestation of degenerative arthritis), limited extension of right hip (manifestation of degenerative arthritis), limited flexion of right hip, limited flexion of left hip, limited abduction of right hip, limited abduction of left hip, limited extension of right knee (manifestation of degenerative arthritis), limited extension of left knee (manifestation of degenerative joint disease), limited flexion of right knee, right knee instability, meniscal tear of right knee
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 3, 2022
- Citation
- 22019835
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 22019835.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
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Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to conflicting opinions regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and skin disabilities related to herbicide exposure.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and increased rating for anxiety disorder have been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current disability meeting the criteria for hypertension, and the Veteran's anxiety disorder does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
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