The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for chronic headaches, hypertension, and lumbar strain was denied. The Veteran is already in receipt of the maximum schedular ratings for these conditions.,The Veteran's cervical spine fusion with multi-level neural foramina narrowing received a 20 percent rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's headache disorder has been rated at its highest level (50%) and does not meet criteria for an increased rating under the schedular criteria. The symptoms are already addressed by the current rating.,The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum allowed under the applicable rating criteria. His diastolic pressure has never been predominantly 110 or more and his systolic pressure has not been predominantly 200 or more.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic Headaches, Hypertension, Lumbar Strain, Status-post Anterior Cervical Fusion with Multi-level Neural Foramina Narrowing, Neurological Disability of the Right Upper Extremity, Neurological Disability of the Left Upper Extremity, Neurological Disability of the Right Lower Extremity, Neurological Disability of the Left Lower Extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 9, 2022
- Citation
- 22067980
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 22067980.
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.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.