Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and separate compensable ratings are being remanded due to the need for further development of the evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's cause of death claim, including obtaining a VA medical opinion and addressing the appellant's substitution request for the TDIU claim. The focus will be on determining the nature and cause of the Veteran's death, particularly in relation to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension as they were not shown to have been diagnosed during active duty or active duty for training.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran died from COPD, which is not related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and a need for further examinations. The issues include frostbite of the bilateral feet, an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as depression), hypertension, hepatitis C, erectile dysfunction, skin disability, lower back disability, skeletal arthritis, bilateral eye disability, bilateral sinus disability, esophageal disability, and stomach disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The hypertension rating remains at 30 percent, but the coronary artery disease with valvular heart disease is remanded for further review as it may warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral tinea pedis, cervical spine condition, hypertension, headaches, hemorrhoids, OSA, sciatica of the right and left lower extremities. The Veteran's claims were remanded but not fully resolved.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, hypotension, dysphagia, muscle weakness, hyperplasia of the prostate, bilateral lower extremity corns and callosities with dermatophytosis, bilateral lower extremity metatarsalgia, Parkinson's disease, anemia, hepatitis C, transient ischemic attack, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, thrombocytopenia with melena, and mixed hyperlipidemia and hyperbilirubinemia due to inadequate medical opinions based on the absence of contemporaneous documentation in service records.

The Veteran's anxiety disability and hypertension are granted service connection, while his asbestosis is denied. The case for hypertension remains pending.

The Veteran's asthma and OSA have been granted service connection. Diabetes, CHF, high blood pressure, stroke, erectile dysfunction, and an acquired psychiatric disorder including depression and anxiety are also granted.,Service connection for diabetes type II (diabetes), congestive heart failure (CHF), high blood pressure, and stroke is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from being able to perform daily activities and if he requires regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is rated at a 20 percent rating, effective July 1, 2018.,The Veteran's aortic regurgitation due to rheumatic heart disease does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7000. The next higher rating of 30 percent is not warranted.,The Veteran's hypertension does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7101.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition, neck condition, hypertension, and abdominal pain and nausea due to conflicting evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran is requested to undergo examinations to determine if these conditions are related to her in-service injuries or other service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinions provided by VA examiners. The Veteran's service connection claims remain pending.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, functional bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids, tinnitus, erectile dysfunction (secondary to service-connected disability), and acid reflux have been partially granted. The claim for hypertension was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. Claims for higher ratings for functional bowel syndrome and hemorrhoids were denied as they do not meet the schedular criteria. Service connection for tinnitus and acid reflux has been established, but erectile dysfunction secondary to service-connected disability remains unresolved.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection, but the effective date is denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood) is remanded due to conflicting opinions regarding its onset.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient information regarding his in-service military environmental exposures. Additional development is needed to determine if he served in Bahrain or Saudi Arabia during a specific time period.

The Veteran's hypertension, radiation proctitis, and PTSD have been granted service connection. The Veteran was also awarded a 100% disability evaluation for his radiation proctitis. However, the Veteran's request for an increased rating for PTSD prior to January 7, 2020, has not been approved.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as a result of the PACT Act, and rated at 100% effective from the date of enactment of the law (2022).

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension and stroke due to insufficient evidence in the current record. The Veteran's hypertension is being evaluated again, with a focus on whether it is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected hepatitis C.