The Board denied service connection for hypertension, increased ratings for posttraumatic stress disorder and depressive disorder, a compensable rating for residual scars from kidney surgery under DC 7802, but granted a 20 percent rating for the same condition starting February 10, 2023.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's hypertension was related to service or his exposures during service. The severity of his PTSD and depressive disorder symptoms were found to be more closely aligned with a 70 percent rating rather than a higher one. The scars from kidney surgery, while noncompensable under DC 7802, warranted a compensable rating under DC 7804.
- Claimed conditions
- hypertension, posttraumatic stress disorder with delayed expression to include depressive disorder due to medical conditions, with mixed features (claimed as anxiety and depression, secondary to renal cell carcinoma), residual scars, status post right partial nephrectomy and status post left nephrectomy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 19, 2025
- Citation
- A25025510
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of October 21, 2021, for the grant of service connection for hypertension.
- Dismissed
The appeal for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and bilateral vision condition was dismissed. Service connection for hypertension, congestive heart failure, and coronary artery disease was denied.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including prostate cancer and related disabilities, urinary incontinence, sleep apnea, hypertension, varicose veins, lumbar spine disability, hip arthritis, shoulder arthritis, ankle arthritis, knee strain, knee replacement, and hand arthritis. The only condition granted was a 10 percent rating for a fracture of the right proximal first metacarpal.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for headaches and increased ratings for left shoulder rotator cuff tear, right shoulder rotator cuff tear, hypertension, and left and right leg restless leg syndrome. The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder.
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