The Veteran's service connection claim for hypertension is denied as there is no current diagnosis of hypertension.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability, rated at 20%, is not entitled to a higher rating due to the lack of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS).,Prior to November 4, 2022, the Veteran's headaches are granted a noncompensable evaluation. Since then, he has been granted a 50% evaluation for very frequent prostrating attacks.,The Veteran is granted an initial 10% evaluation for urticaria throughout the appeal period.
The deciding factor: There is no current diagnosis of hypertension in the medical records and the VA examiner's opinion is more probative than the Veteran's lay statements regarding this claim.
- Claimed conditions
- hypertension, cervical spine strain with osteoarthritis and spondylosis, headaches, urticaria
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 27, 2023
- Citation
- 23005426
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 23005426.
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 has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of records and will provide a supplemental statement of the case if necessary.
- 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.
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