The Veteran's service connection claims for hernia, supraventricular arrhythmia, COPD, and hypertension have been granted. The initial rating for hypertension has also been granted at a 10 percent level. Service connection for residuals of broken breastbone, residuals from broken ribs, deviated septum, PTSD, and lumbosacral strain are all remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's hernias were caused or aggravated by service exposure to asbestos and herbicide agents (Agent Orange). The Veteran's supraventricular arrhythmia is related to service. COPD is also linked to service. Hypertension was found to be due to service, as evidenced by the Veteran's history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more during service.
- Claimed conditions
- hernia, supraventricular arrhythmia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), broken breastbone, residuals from broken ribs, deviated septum, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), hypertension
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- March 30, 2026
- Citation
- A26028569
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 A26028569.
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 Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. The Veteran will be asked to provide additional medical records and undergo a VA examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his alleged stressors.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.
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