Service connection for hypertension is granted under the PACT Act. An initial 70 percent rating for an acquired psychiatric disability, from February 24, 2011 to the present, is granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's hypertension is presumed to be associated with herbicide exposure and service connection is granted under the PACT Act. The acquired psychiatric disability meets the criteria for a 70 percent rating based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
- Claimed conditions
- Hypertension, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Major Depressive Disorder, Anxiety, Somatoform Disorder
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- March 6, 2023
- Citation
- 23013364
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 23013364.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be caused by his service-connected low back and radiculopathy disabilities, which prevent him from doing enjoyable activities and daily living tasks.
- 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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.
- 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.
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