The Veteran's hypertension, presumed to be related to herbicide agent exposure during service, is granted for the period prior to August 10, 2022. For the entire period on appeal, a rating of 50 percent for bilateral pes planus is granted.
The deciding factor: Service connection for hypertension was established based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service and the Veteran's current diagnosis. The rating for bilateral pes planus was granted as it met the criteria for pronounced bilateral acquired flatfoot with marked pronation not improved by orthopedic shoes or appliances.
- Claimed conditions
- hypertension, bilateral pes planus
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- August 22, 2023
- Citation
- 23046433
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 23046433.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
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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