The Veteran's high cholesterol is not considered a compensable disability for VA purposes.,There is no evidence of cervical spine degenerative disc disease or neck pain during service, and the current condition is not related to any in-service injury. The claim for this condition is denied.,Hypertension was not shown within one year after separation from service, nor is there a link between it and service. Therefore, the Veteran's hypertension claim is also denied.
The deciding factor: The term 'hypercholesterolemia' refers to elevated concentrations of lipids in the plasma, which are considered laboratory findings rather than disabilities for VA compensation purposes.,There was no evidence of neck pain or cervical spine pathology during service. The September 2020 VA examiner concluded that the current condition is less likely related to active service.,Hypertension was not diagnosed within one year after separation from service, and there is no other competent medical opinion linking it to service.
- Claimed conditions
- High cholesterol, Cervical spine disability (neck pain), Hypertension
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 9, 2023
- Citation
- A23031633
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 A23031633.
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.
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