The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's right middle and ring finger disabilities, hypertension from August 10, 2022, and depression NOS and mood disorder. However, an earlier effective date was granted for service connection of hypertension on December 26, 2018, and a total disability rating for individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted.
The deciding factor: The severity of the veteran's symptoms did not more closely approximate the criteria required for higher ratings. The evidence supported an earlier effective date for hypertension but denied increased ratings for other conditions due to insufficient symptomatology.
- Claimed conditions
- right middle finger disability, right ring finger disability, hypertension associated with herbicide exposure, depression NOS and mood disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 30, 2025
- Citation
- A25094628
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,035 · Granted: 30% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 A25094628.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
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 chronic dry eye, chronic fatigue syndrome, constipation, IBS, left little finger disability, left index finger disability, left thumb disability, left ring finger disability, left long finger disability, right ring finger disability, right index finger disability, right long finger disability, and right thumb disability due to an error in the initial decision. The Veteran was not provided with notice of her right to a hearing on these issues.
- Granted
The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted service connection. The issues of increased ratings for right ring finger disability, left ear growth disability, and swollen lymph node disability are withdrawn. Service connection for allergic rhinitis is granted with a 10% rating. Service connection for hyperhidrosis is granted with a 30% rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that new medical opinions are needed to address whether the Veteran's claimed disabilities are related to service, including as due to overuse or wear and tear. The claims for service connection are being remanded.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the service connection claims for right ring finger disability, right shoulder disability, and left shoulder disability.
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