Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to his service-connected mood disorder.,The Veteran's substance-abuse disorder, including cocaine dependence, is granted as secondary to his service-connected mood disorder.,The Veteran's stroke condition is granted as secondary to his service-connected hypertension.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including new examinations to determine the severity of the Veteran's service-connected headaches and hypertension. The issues include entitlement to increased ratings for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient compliance with previous remand directives regarding the Veteran's multiple eye diagnoses during the pendency of his claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a bilateral heel/foot condition, depression, and chronic sinus/allergy disorder have been granted. The right lower extremity disability associated with the lumbar spine has been remanded. Other issues remain pending.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension and enlarged heart are related to his service-connected TIA.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower and upper extremities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's claims were not supported by medical evidence or credible assertions.

Service connection for hypertension is granted based on the PACT Act presumption of service connection.,The claim for PTSD and depression has been reopened due to new evidence received since the last denial.,The claim for left hip bursitis has been reopened due to new evidence received since the last denial.,The claim for a skin condition is pending as no examination or opinion was provided yet.,Earlier effective dates are denied for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities.,No earlier effective date is granted for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for laryngeal cancer, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is remanded to obtain VA treatment records and provide medical opinions regarding the onset of these conditions during service or their relation to in-service events.

The Board has withdrawn the appeals for vascular disease, hypertension, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The TBI claim is being remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and need for further development. The issues of bilateral foot condition, right ankle condition (secondary), left ankle condition (secondary), and hypertension are all being remanded.

The Veteran's gout and hypertension have been rated at 40 percent, allowing for a TDIU effective from March 26, 2018.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes planus, effective September 16, 2015. The Veteran's skin condition and hypertension are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 is rated at 40 percent, effective October 8, 2015. Prior to January 23, 2016, the Veteran was not entitled to a TDIU due to his employment status. Effective January 23, 2016, he is now entitled to a TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for gout, high blood pressure, a kidney condition, diabetes mellitus, and bipolar disorder as there was no competent evidence indicating these conditions began during active service or were related to an in-service injury or disease. The Veteran's obesity claim is also denied due to VA policy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, as his combined rating is only 40% and the functional impact of his conditions does not warrant a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the cases of hypertension and a heart disability for further development due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for hypertension and granted a separate rating of 30 percent for headaches due to service-connected hypertension. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is remanded.

The Board has granted an effective date of February 8, 1995 for service connection for hypertension. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension and supraventricular arrhythmia (Sinus tachycardia) are remanded due to their interdependence with the effective date determination.

The Board has determined that the cause of the Veteran's death, cardiac arrest due to coronary artery disease and hypertension, may be related to or aggravated by service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's hypertension rating is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.