Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant requested to withdraw their claim for service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as it was aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. Other issues are pending further development and evidence submission.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.,The petition to reopen the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral pes planus, and bilateral plantar fascia are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development, including obtaining updated VA medical opinions. The issues include otitis externa, partial complex seizure disorder with headaches, and hypertension prior to August 10, 2022.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether hypertension is caused or aggravated by service-connected conditions, including medication taken for those conditions. The Veteran's VA clinician provided supporting statements.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of hypertension was denied as the earliest date entitlement arose is July 31, 2017.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for further review due to the need for a supplemental statement of the case and additional medical opinions.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's condition was not incurred in service or due to a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, chronic renal disease, and ischemic heart disease with hypertensive cardiovascular disease due to service-connected PTSD. The Veteran's hypertension is being reviewed again for a medical opinion regarding whether it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, BPH, skin cancer, and COPD due to in-service herbicide exposure. The RO must obtain an adequate etiological opinion that considers the Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms during service and his in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and related neuropathies as well as hypertension and cardiac disability are all granted due to the presumption of herbicide exposure during active duty. The Board also found that these conditions were secondary to her primary service-connected condition - diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's SMC based on housebound status is denied as he does not have a single service-connected disability rated at 100% or TDIU due to a single service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and stroke, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not related to his exposure to herbicide agents during active service. The claim is granted on a presumptive basis due to the PACT Act.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the issues of mental health disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder), hypertension, diabetes mellitus, kidney stone condition, right knee disability, left knee disability, osteoarthritis of the cervical spine associated with ankylosing spondylitis, and left hip condition are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's hypertension did not meet the criteria for a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7101, as there was no history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more and continuous medication was required but not due to such high readings.

The Veteran's claims for left shoulder condition, diabetes mellitus, type II, and acquired psychiatric disorder have been reopened. However, the claim to reopen for sleep condition, hepatitis C, and hypertension has not been successful.,Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for sensory and motor neuropathy of the right lower extremity is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, which was noted during service and continued thereafter, contributed to his death. Therefore, service connection for cause of death is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient reasoning in previous decisions and a need for clarification regarding whether the Veteran's obesity, which may be linked to his service-connected prednisone use, is a substantial factor in causing or aggravating his hypertension and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, hypertension, diabetes, and sleep apnea have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.,VA is required to provide a VA examination or medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and remanded the issues of service connection for a heart disorder, including chronic ischemic heart disease, and hypertension.