The Veteran's hypertension has been rated as 10 percent disabling, but the Board found that there is no evidence of diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more during the appeal period. Therefore, a higher rating for hypertension is denied.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right upper extremity and left upper extremity have been remanded as there are no VA examinations addressing these conditions since July 2020.,The Veteran's cervical myositis with cervical spine degenerative disc disease has also been remanded for a new examination to determine the severity of his disability, including range of motion testing.
The deciding factor: There is insufficient evidence to support a higher rating for hypertension as there are no documented instances where diastolic pressure was predominantly 110 or more or systolic pressure was predominantly 200 or more.
- Claimed conditions
- Hypertension, Lumbar degenerative joint disease with intervertebral syndrome, Radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, Radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, Cervical myositis with cervical spine degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 7, 2023
- Citation
- 23013596
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 23013596.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- 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.
- 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.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and has remanded the issue of an increased rating for skin condition.
- 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.