Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for an increased disability evaluation for hypertension and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for hypertension or establish a nexus between the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea and his active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, and a new opinion is needed.

The Board denied service connection for broken leg, right arm damage, left arm damage, and hypertension as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for diabetes, hypertension, and residuals of stroke have been remanded due to the need for additional development.,A VA examination is required to determine the etiology of the Veteran's diabetes. The examiner should consider the Veteran's reports of experiencing hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's heart disability and its relationship to service. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical records, and a VA examination will be scheduled to determine if his current heart conditions are related to his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed respiratory disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, and heart disorder are not service-connected as they were not caused by his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70 percent rating, effective as of the date of this decision. Hypertension due to herbicide exposure is also granted. The issue of service connection for hypertension on a direct and secondary basis is remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for OSA, a heart disorder, peripheral vascular disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, diabetic kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, and erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's claims are not supported by the evidence.,Service connection is denied for all conditions listed above.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding exposure history.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as due to herbicide agent exposure under the PACT Act. The claim for an initial compensable rating for gastritis is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension on a direct basis as it is related to the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his active military service.

The Veteran's low back condition and hypertension are granted service connection, while DMII requires additional evidence. The case is remanded for further action regarding DMII.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral nuclear sclerosis (cataracts). The appeals for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, bilateral eye disability (excluding cataracts), coronary artery disease, and hypertension are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic kidney disease and hypertension due to insufficient medical evidence in the file. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature, etiology, and date of onset of his conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and scheduling an examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right knee disorder. The claim for service connection for hypertension remains denied.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as presumptively related to herbicide exposure under the PACT Act, effective October 1, 2026. Service connection for hypertension prior to August 10, 2022, remains denied.

The Board denied service connection for low back, right shoulder, hypertension, and tinnitus disabilities. The Veteran's OSA was also not granted as service-connected.,Service connection was denied for all claimed conditions due to a lack of evidence linking the current diagnoses to military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for melanoma, diabetes mellitus type II, and coronary artery disease (CAD) due to potential exposure to contaminated water from Camp Lejeune or Agent Orange. The VA examinations did not provide sufficient opinions regarding these conditions.,The Veteran's hypertension is also being remanded as there are no adequate VA examination records available for review.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as due to presumed in-service herbicide exposure. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's other musculoskeletal conditions are attributable to his conceded in-service exposure to toxic herbicide agents.