The Board granted an effective date of July 30, 2021, for the grant of service connection for hypertension and dismissed claims for earlier effective dates for other conditions.

The deciding factor: The decision was based on the Veteran's timely filing within one year of a VA Form 21-0966 (Intent to File) for hypertension, which led to the eventual grant of service connection in September 2024 under the PACT Act.

Claimed conditions

hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, with intervertebral disc syndrome, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity sciatic nerve, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity femoral nerve, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity femoral nerve, TDIU (Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability), special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria being met, headaches, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), residuals of stroke to include transient ischemic attack

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

October 27, 2025

Citation

A25092842

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