The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were denied. The appeal seeking an earlier effective date for hypertension was dismissed due to the finality of a prior rating decision. Service connection for neck pain, bilateral upper and lower extremity nerve conditions, and right hip disability based on limitation of abduction are remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's hypertension did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7101, as his blood pressure readings were generally below the threshold required for a 10% evaluation. The right knee surgical scar was also rated noncompensably disabling due to its small size and lack of associated complications. For bursitis of the right hip, the Veteran's extension limitation did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 5251.
- Claimed conditions
- Hypertension, Right Knee Surgical Scar, Bursitis of the Right Hip
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 15, 2026
- Citation
- A26004278
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 A26004278.
What this means for you
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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.
- Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's 10% rating for hypertension effective December 1, 2025 and denied a rating in excess of 10%. The reduction from 10% to noncompensable was not proper.
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