Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Board denied a compensable disability rating for service-connected hypertension, finding that the Veteran's blood pressure readings did not consistently meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to issues with contact information and missing service records, specifically regarding hypertension. The Veteran's hypertension will need to be re-evaluated by a VA examiner.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for liver cancer, as well as claims related to his death and various disabilities, were denied. The rating for diabetes mellitus was granted at a 40 percent level, but higher ratings are not warranted. Ratings for other conditions such as neurological impairments, tinnitus, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss were also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an increased rating for left trigeminal nerve impairment, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision on whether he was entitled to service connection for cardiac disorder and hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, left leg disability (to include as due to a low back disability), and hypertension (to include as secondary to hypotension). The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection or secondary service connection.

The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and dismissed the DIC benefits claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 due to the award of service connection.

The Veteran's death was due to a service-connected disability, specifically his cardiac disability. The Board found that the Veteran had been exposed to herbicide agents in Vietnam and granted DIC benefits based on this exposure.

The Board has found that additional development is needed due to missing VistA Imaging records, and the case is being remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was chronic in service and not aggravated by his military service, thus granting service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU award. For his sleep apnea claim, the Board has determined that a remand for further examination and opinion is necessary.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and adjudication, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed heart disorders (hypertension, atypical angina, non-obstructive coronary artery disease) considering whether they are related to his service-connected right knee disability with obesity as an intermediate step.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning in a previous VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral eye disability, specifically addressing whether it was caused by service-connected cervical spine injury or residuals.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for hypertension was denied as his blood pressure readings did not consistently meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7101.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection of various conditions, including hypertension, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, TBI, and tinnitus. The effective date for hypertension was set at April 12, 2017.

The Board has granted presumptive service connection for hypertension and ischemic heart disease as due to exposure to herbicide agents. The remaining issues of direct service connection for head pain, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease have been remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's ocular hypertension is related to his military service. The examiner must reconcile these opinions and determine if the condition clearly and unmistakably existed prior to the Veteran's second period of active duty service from December 2013 to September 2014, or was aggravated by that period.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as presumptively associated with herbicide agent exposure in service under the PACT Act. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension on a direct basis are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's hypertension and heart condition are related to his service.

The Board has denied service connection for a left knee disability and remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension as due to exposure to tactical herbicide agents, and secondary service connection for kidney condition on a causation basis.