Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Granted

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and an initial rating of 20 percent for diabetes, but denied increased ratings for tinea corporis and PTSD.,The appellant's hypertension is presumed to be related to his exposure to herbicide agents during active duty. The Board found that the evidence was in approximate balance regarding whether the appellant has a current disability of hypertension.

The deciding factor: The VA examination reports did not provide sufficient rationale for their opinions, and the NAS report upgraded the likelihood of a link between hypertension and diabetes exposure.

Claimed conditions
hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus (diabetes), tinea corporis, pedis, and cruris, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
How they argued it
Presumptive (no nexus needed)
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
20%
Decision date
January 15, 2023
Citation
23002573

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 23002573.

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

Related decisions

Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.

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.