The Board granted a 10 percent initial rating for hypertension and denied an earlier effective date for service connection based on the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam.

The deciding factor: The evidence supports a history of diastolic pressures predominantly 100 or higher, requiring continuous medication for control, which meets the criteria for a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7101. However, there is no earlier pending claim and no basis for an effective date before August 10, 2022.

Claimed conditions

hypertension

How they argued it

Presumptive (no nexus needed)

Exposure basis

Agent Orange / herbicides

Rating assigned

10%

Decision date

November 4, 2025

Citation

A25095442

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