Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's hypertension, hypertensive heart disease, edema, and headache disorder are granted service connection due to herbicide exposure under the PACT Act. The respiratory disorder and hepatitis B claims remain pending as they do not meet the presumptive criteria.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension, both of which are claimed to be due to exposure to herbicides during service. The Veteran passed away before a decision could be made.

The Veteran's appeals for hypertension and eczema have been dismissed due to the death of the claimant.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the September 2020 VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, which was not clear and did not account for the Veteran's medication use history. The Court found that a remand is needed to obtain an addendum opinion addressing these issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions including kidney disability, hypertension, heart disability (cardiomyopathy), skin disability (swollen lymph nodes), and recurrent headache disability. The Veteran is also seeking TDIU based on these disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), coronary artery disease, ischemic heart disease, and arterial hypertension as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or a nexus between the conditions and service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it did not pre-exist his periods of active duty and was not aggravated by such service. The evidence does not support a finding of aggravation.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded the claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service connected disabilities (TDIU).

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to PTSD, but denied service connection for a disability manifested by chronic fatigue and insomnia.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The decision also noted that the Veteran's TDIU claim was granted, SMC at the 's' rate was granted as of May 2, 2017, and the Veteran's hypertension claim was remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's hypertension, finding that it had its onset in service and resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to ischemic cardiomyopathy, diabetes mellitus, and arterial hypertension as there was no evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's death was not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment on an extra-schedular basis prior to November 5, 2018.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for low back arthritis and hypertension. The claims are being remanded for further review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents and insufficient medical evidence linking his current condition to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for his cause of death, finding insufficient evidence to establish full-body exposure to mustard gas during service and no medical link between the Veteran's causes of death and mustard gas exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service, including his conceded asbestos exposure, or began during active service. The examiner must address a March 2001 note that the Veteran was hypertensive for a number of years.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and hypertension are granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty in Guam.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all remaining issues, including service connection and rating claims.

The Veteran's hypertension was evaluated and found not to meet the criteria for a compensable rating, as his blood pressure readings did not consistently reach levels that would warrant such a rating.