Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis is granted service connection, but the claim for hypertension secondary to sinusitis needs further development.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's HTN and service-connected PTSD.

Service connection is granted for metastatic adenocarcinoma, lung primary and hypertension due to herbicide exposure. Service connection for COPD (emphysema) remains pending.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension are presumed related to his service on Guam due to herbicide exposure under the PACT Act. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for tachycardia, hypertension, and right knee chondromalacia have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals through his representative.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension as the Veteran did not have exposure to herbicide agents during service and there is no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension due to lack of in-service exposure within the required proximity to Vietnam. The cardiovascular disorder claims are also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The cases of bilateral hearing loss, heart disability, dyspnea (lung condition), hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and review of records.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam.,Direct service connection for hypertension remains pending and requires further development.,Service connection for PVD, left lower extremity, is remanded as the etiology of the condition needs clarification.,Service connection for PVD, right lower extremity, is also remanded due to conflicting opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's currently diagnosed hypertension is related to his exposure to herbicide agents during service. The PACT Act of 2022 added hypertension to the list of presumed conditions associated with exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction (ED) are granted as service-connected due to exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand. The PACT Act allows for presumptive service connection under these circumstances.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings of left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, internal hemorrhoids, and hypertension. The Board has dismissed these matters as a result.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, as the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric disorder.,Service connection for hypertension was granted based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hypertension is granted as it is presumed due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder and alcohol use disorder in remission, is granted. The Board finds the evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, and bilateral foot disability due to potential in-service injuries or conditions. Additional development is needed, including obtaining medical opinions on etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for hypertension, as there are insufficient opinions regarding whether it is related to service or secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his Vietnam War service, effective October 1, 2026.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines are granted with a noncompensable rating from July 1, 2014 to September 30, 2014 and a 30 percent rating from September 30, 2014 to November 22, 2016.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disease during service or within one year after separation. The Board also found that PTSD did not cause or aggravate the current hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle condition, gastrointestinal disease (including sigmoid diverticulosis), and hypertension have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.