Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure compliance with previous remand directives and proper development for the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's renal failure with hypertension is rated at 100% effective November 14, 2021. The condition became eligible for a kidney transplant in April 2017 but no matches were available due to previous bone marrow transplant.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for hypertension secondary to PTSD and/or obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's hypertension was not diagnosed until at least three years post-service, and there are conflicting reports of blood pressure readings in service.

The appeal is dismissed for the claims of bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, left leg amputation, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, sleep apnea, stroke, glaucoma, and cataracts. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was dismissed as moot because he has been in receipt of a total (100 percent) disability rating since February 26, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left Achilles tendonitis, bilateral plantar fasciitis, sinus disability, and OSA have been granted. The claim for a compensable rating for hypertension is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to insufficient evidence, including a need for VA examinations and additional medical development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a pre-existing condition or in-service injury that led to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for cerebral aneurysm, arteriovenous fistula, hypertension, and migraine headaches have all been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability that was incurred or aggravated by service.,Service records do not show any diagnosis or treatment related to these conditions during active duty. The Veteran reported symptoms many years after separation from service.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as a result of the PACT Act, effective August 10, 2022.,Right ear hearing loss and diabetes mellitus, type II are denied. The claim for bladder cancer was dismissed due to the PACT Act grant.,Left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination opinions regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to service-connected major depression and generalized anxiety disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, hypertension, and heart disability.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and clarification of the Veteran's periods of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) and Inactive Duty for Training (INACDUTRA). The claims for service connection for vertigo, tinnitus, and hypertension are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for a new medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension. The issue is not about service connection via a presumption like PACT Act, Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune, etc.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated as 10 percent prior to December 14, 2022 and denied for a compensable rating. From December 14, 2022 onwards, the Veteran's hypertension is rated as 10 percent and denied for an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent.,The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to December 14, 2022 due to his blood pressure readings consistently below the threshold required for such a rating. From December 14, 2022 onwards, the Veteran's hypertension was rated as 10 percent based on one VA examination showing diastolic pressure predominantly at or above 100 requiring continuous medication.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, is granted as service connected. The Veteran's hypertension is denied as there is no evidence of chronic or recurrent hypertension during service.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 60 percent for hypertension with chronic kidney disease is denied, and the Board has remanded his claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, and the Board found no evidence to warrant a higher rating. The acquired psychiatric disability claim has been remanded due to insufficient evidence for proper evaluation.

The Veteran's hypertension has been granted service connection.,Service connection for back disability, right wrist disability, left ankle disability, and headaches have all been granted.,A compensable rating of 10 percent is assigned for the Veteran's right hand little finger disability.,An initial rating higher than 20 percent for right shoulder disability has not been granted.,An increased 20 percent rating but not higher for left knee internal derangement has been granted.