Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2022

Service connection for hypertension is granted under the PACT Act due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Veteran's hypertension did not meet the criteria for a 10% rating under DC 7101, as his diastolic pressure was never predominantly 100 or more and he did not require continuous medication.

The Veteran's attorney has withdrawn the appeal regarding an initial increased rating for tinnitus and service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, TMJ dysfunction, vertigo, hypertension, bilateral foot disability, migraine headaches, left hip and thigh disability, right hip and thigh disability, sleep apnea, and a low back disability. The Board has dismissed the appeal as withdrawn.

The Board has dismissed all claims for service connection as the Veteran died after the appeal was remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension on a presumptive basis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms manifested to a degree of 10 percent or more within one year of separation from active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, right shoulder condition, and right knee condition due to insufficient medical opinions and potential exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and a respiratory disorder, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are attributable to service, specifically the Veteran's use of tobacco products while in service. The TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and seeking additional medical opinions to address the etiology of various conditions. The claims include service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, ankle disabilities, erectile dysfunction, and an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypercholesterolemia is denied as it does not represent a disability in and of itself.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar strain with spondylosis prior to October 22, 2019 and hypertension are remanded due to inadequate examination and the need for additional medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability is remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding its relationship to in-service events.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII) and psychiatric disorder are remanded due to inadequate examination and the need for additional medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability is remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding its relationship to in-service events.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction are remanded due to inadequate examination and the need for additional medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to lumbar spine disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for chronic hypertension and thyroid disorder due to potential Agent Orange exposure during service. Additional evidence must be obtained, including complete military personnel records and verification of in-service herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to assess the Veteran's functional impairment from his service-connected disabilities, as he failed to report to previous examinations. The TDIU claim is being returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate development and lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives. The claim for service connection for hypertension will be further developed before a VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, neuropathy of the bilateral lower and upper extremities, and depression due to incomplete verification of herbicide exposure in Korea.

The Veteran's hypertension is presumed to be related to his service-connected Agent Orange exposure. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.,Service connection for ischemic heart disease (IHD) and a skin condition of the right hand, both presumptively linked to Agent Orange exposure, are remanded due to incomplete medical records.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to malignant neoplasm of the larynx, hepatitis C, and hypertension. The VA medical opinions concluded that these conditions were not related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and chronic kidney disease due to insufficient discussion of previous opinions and new evidence not addressed in the original decision.

The Board has granted service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus as secondary to service-connected COPD with asthma. The claims for hypertension and bilateral eye disability are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and denied service connection for residuals from a right middle finger tumor removal. The decision finds that the Veteran's hypertension began during her military service, while the right middle finger tumor removal is not related to any in-service event or injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities of a bilateral hip disorder, acid reflux, or hypertension related to his military service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's hypertension has not been shown to meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, as his diastolic pressure has not consistently been predominantly 100 or more and his systolic pressure has not consistently been predominantly 160 or more during the appeal period.