Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board denied a higher rating due to lack of evidence showing diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more.,Service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease/hiatal hernia was denied because it did not manifest during service or within one year of separation and is not etiologically related to service, including presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand. The Veteran's skin cancer claim was remanded due to the PACT Act requiring VA to provide an examination and medical opinion regarding its relationship to herbicide agent exposure.,The Board found that new evidence from the PACT Act required a de novo review of the skin cancer service connection claim.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis is rated at 10 percent, as the combined range of motion was not less than 170 degrees.,The Veteran's left lower extremity sciatica is rated at 10 percent, as it did not result in more than mild incomplete paralysis.,The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, as diastolic pressure was not predominantly 100 or more and systolic pressure was not predominantly 160 or more.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of hypertension due to the grant of service connection in a previous decision, and there is no jurisdiction to address issues related to effective date or rating.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss are granted. The decision is based on the PACT Act presumption of exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. Service connection is also remanded for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for hypertension and sleep apnea have been denied. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension, finding that exposure to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune led directly to the development of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate consideration of the Veteran's in-service blood pressure check and his lay statements regarding potential inaccuracies in recorded readings.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for hypertension, left knee arthritis, and right knee arthritis was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under DC 7101, while her bilateral knee disabilities were evaluated based on limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, which is currently service-connected under the PACT Act.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's current knee disorders and diabetes mellitus. The claims for service connection for hypertension, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and diabetes mellitus are REMANDED.

The Board has found that there was substantial compliance issues with the prior remand directives and thus requires another remand for further development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of any psychiatric disabilities diagnosed during the appeal period.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure. The issues of glaucoma, peripheral neuropathy in upper and lower extremities are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a prostate cyst and hypertension due to incomplete development. The AOJ is instructed to obtain updated VA treatment records, arrange for VA medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's prostate cyst and hypertension, and schedule the Veteran for any necessary examinations or interviews.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II with hypertension and erectile dysfunction is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is now remanded for a VA examination to assess whether his hypertension is related to his active service, including due to toxic exposure, and if it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, hypertension, and sleep apnea have been denied as they are not related to his military service.,For the remaining issues (right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, cervical spine disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, loss of use of the right lower extremity, and loss of use of the left lower extremity), the case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as a result of the PACT Act, effective August 10, 2022. The claims for service connection for hypertension and ulcerative colitis are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension due to inadequate medical opinions provided by the VA examiner.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of hypertension has been dismissed as the appeal was withdrawn by the Veteran.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for right knee replacement (total right knee replacement with degenerative joint disease) is partially granted, with a rating of 30% from November 19, 2012 to May 6, 2016. The issue has been remanded for further review.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for right knee medial lateral instability is granted, with a rating of 30%.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection and an initial rating of 10% effective December 1, 2023. An earlier effective date for the grant of service connection is denied.