The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board denied a higher rating due to lack of evidence showing diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more.,Service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease/hiatal hernia was denied because it did not manifest during service or within one year of separation and is not etiologically related to service, including presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand. The Veteran's skin cancer claim was remanded due to the PACT Act requiring VA to provide an examination and medical opinion regarding its relationship to herbicide agent exposure.,The Board found that new evidence from the PACT Act required a de novo review of the skin cancer service connection claim.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's hypertension does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7101 due to lack of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, and he is currently taking continuous medication.,Service connection was denied because there is no evidence that gastroesophageal reflux disease/hiatal hernia manifested during service or within one year of separation and it is not etiologically related to service, including presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand. The Veteran's skin cancer claim was remanded due to the PACT Act requiring VA to provide an examination and medical opinion regarding its relationship to herbicide agent exposure.,The Board found that new evidence from the PACT Act required a de novo review of the skin cancer service connection claim.
- Claimed conditions
- hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)/hiatal hernia, skin cancer
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 4, 2023
- Citation
- A23034430
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 A23034430.
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.
- 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 Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to conflicting opinions regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and skin disabilities related to herbicide exposure.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and increased rating for anxiety disorder have been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current disability meeting the criteria for hypertension, and the Veteran's anxiety disorder does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
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