The Veteran's service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type II associated with herbicide exposure is granted. The claim of an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD to include major depressive disorder moderate and generalized anxiety disorder, as well as entitlements for left inguinal herniorrhaphy and left inguinal hernia scar are denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's hypertension was found to be related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents in the Republic of Vietnam. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, type II. The PTSD symptoms were found to cause occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.
- Claimed conditions
- hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to include major depressive disorder moderate and generalized anxiety disorder, left inguinal herniorrhaphy, left inguinal hernia scar
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- March 9, 2026
- Citation
- A26020770
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 A26020770.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to conflicting opinions regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and skin disabilities related to herbicide exposure.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and increased rating for anxiety disorder have been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current disability meeting the criteria for hypertension, and the Veteran's anxiety disorder does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
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