Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, a skin disability, and sleep apnea as secondary to CAD or peripheral neuropathy are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The leg stents claim is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claims.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's condition did not onset during active duty or manifest to a compensable degree within a presumptive period. The evidence does not support a finding of herbicide exposure either on a presumptive basis or by facts found.

The Veteran's hypertension was evaluated and found not to meet the criteria for a compensable rating, as his diastolic pressure has consistently been below 100 despite requiring medication.

The Veteran is granted service connection for hypertension under the PACT Act from August 10, 2022. Service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for cause of death due to inconsistencies in a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's TBI caused his death.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with hiatal hernia, finding that these conditions began during the Veteran's active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension is granted a 10 percent disability rating as of July 2023, considering the need for continuous medication and systolic pressure predominately 160 or greater.

The Board has granted service connection for hypothyroidism and hypertension, with the latter being secondary to the former. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents is not a factor in this decision.

The Veteran's hypertension resulted in systolic pressure readings predominantly 160 or more throughout the appeal period, warranting a 10 percent rating. The Board found no evidence of diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease, coronary artery disease, prostate cancer with removal of prostate surgery residuals, and hypertension are all granted as they were due to herbicide exposure at U-Tapao RTAFB.,The Veteran's skin cancer is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current acquired psychiatric disorder or hypertension related to his military service and has remanded for further examination.

The claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, OSA, neurological impairment of the right lower extremity, muscle spasms of the left and right lower extremities, and dizzy spells are granted.,All related claims for service connection are remanded due to new evidence received after the October 2018 rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 10, 2022, for the award of service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to new and relevant evidence having been received.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, which included acute myocardial infarction and other cardiovascular conditions, was caused by his preexisting heart murmur that was aggravated by service. The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and the Board has granted service connection for OSA as secondary to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance as he is capable of attending medical appointments outside his home, does not require nursing care, and has no significant impairments that necessitate regular aid and attendance.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for headaches, sleep apnea, and a back disorder. The claim for hypertension is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as due to herbicide exposure under the PACT Act. The other service connection claims are denied.,Service connection for atrophied testicle/loss of use of a creative organ, kidney disability, right knee disability, back disability, and right foot disability were all denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a thyroid disability, respiratory disability, and an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss disability rated as 30 percent prior to June 6, 2003, and as 40 percent thereafter, to include on an extraschedular basis have been dismissed.,The RO reduced the Veteran's disability rating for renal dysfunction with hypertension from 30 percent to 0 percent effective April 20, 2022. The reduction was deemed improper.

The Veteran's appeal of the rating assigned for internal hemorrhoids has been denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,Service connection claims for hypertension and coronary artery disease are remanded due to new statutory duties under the PACT Act regarding toxic exposure risk activity (TERA).,The Veteran's appeals of the ratings assigned for left ankle strain and right ankle strain have been remanded as the April 2021 examination report is inadequate.,The issue of entitlement to TDIU has been remanded due to the need for further development regarding the Veteran's unemployability.