Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable rating for left foot fracture, service connection for residuals of broken right foot, and service connection for respiratory disorder (asthma and COPD) were denied. Service connection for hypertension was granted on a presumptive basis based on the PACT Act. The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinus disorder (allergic rhinitis and sinusitis) was not supported by evidence linking it to Agent Orange exposure, and his claim for bilateral foot disorders is also denied.

The Veteran's recurrent abscess of the right inguinal region has been granted service connection. The left ankle disorder, heart disease (claimed as hyperlipidemia), hypertension, and lazy eye have all been remanded for further review.

Service connection for hypertension is granted due to herbicide agent exposure. Service connection for pulmonary fibrosis is remanded as the disability is not presumed related to herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, with the effective date being January 14, 2021.,The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to January 12, 2021, and a rating in excess of 40 percent from that date onwards are both remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no link between the current condition and service.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, finding that it was aggravated by the veteran's service-connected hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded the cases of obstructive sleep apnea, dental condition, hypertension, left eye disability, low back disability, esophageal hernia, and cervical spine disability.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as due to herbicide exposure, and hypertension on a presumptive basis under the PACT Act.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that it is related to the Veteran's presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and rating for COPD, hypertension, anxiety disorder, and OSA due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, congestive heart failure, diabetes mellitus, an enlarged heart, and hypertension as secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea. The claims are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for gastritis with status post cholecystectomy and portal hypertension with esophageal and gastric varices has been denied. The case is remanded for further development regarding his left leg disability and right leg disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ear hearing loss, right-hand disability, left-hand disability, and left eye disability have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), hypertension (HTN), a right shoulder disability, a left shoulder disability, and a right eye disability.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's high cholesterol does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and hypertension, but the psychiatric disorder claim is remanded as it involves a complex medical issue.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as presumptively linked to his exposure to herbicide agents during service, and the claim for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus are remanded for further development. The AOJ must verify the Veteran's periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA). A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service, including ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of hypertension, and the Board dismissed the legacy appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for insomnia has been remanded.,Claims for service connection for hypertension, right great toe arthritis, bilateral pes valgo planus/fallen arches, bilateral gastrocnemius equinus, and nerve entrapment have also been remanded.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for breast cancer of the left breast (also claimed as invasive ductal carcinoma) has been granted. The application to reopen the previously denied claim for hypertension has been dismissed.,The applications to reopen the previously denied claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have also been dismissed.