The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, right upper extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity neuropathy, and degenerative arthritis of the right ankle as secondary to service-connected low back disabilities.,Service connection for hypertension was denied due to lack of chronic symptoms during active service and not related to service.
The deciding factor: The VA opinions provided a strong rationale linking the Veteran's cervical spine disability, upper extremity neuropathy, and right ankle condition to his service-connected low back disabilities. The medical evidence supported these conclusions.,There were no chronic symptoms of hypertension during active service, nor did they manifest within one year post-service separation. Additionally, there was no direct link between current hypertension and service.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical spine disability, Right upper extremity neuropathy, Left upper extremity neuropathy, Degenerative arthritis of the right ankle, Hypertension, Right foot disability, Skin disability
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 11, 2026
- Citation
- 26001978
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 26001978.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that it did not manifest during service and is not causally related to the Veteran's exposure to herbicides or service.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and active duty service or herbicide exposure.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and has remanded the issue of an increased rating for skin condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, the maximum rating available under the General Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The evidence does not support a higher rating as his range of motion did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.
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