Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

Your claims for service connection related to back disorder, right knee disorder, right foot disorder, left foot disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) have been remanded. The Board found that the evidence is insufficient to establish a direct relationship between these conditions and your active-duty service.,The Veteran's hypertension and headaches were reopened based on new evidence showing potential links to his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to conflicting evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicidal agents while aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from June 6, 2011, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, prostate cancer residuals, and erectile dysfunction due to insufficient development regarding exposure to herbicides or service in Vietnam. The RO is instructed to make all appropriate efforts to determine if the Veteran served within 12 nautical miles of the Republic of Vietnam while serving in the Marine Corps from June 1972 to June 1976, and whether bases in Okinawa used herbicide agents.

The Veteran's death was caused by complications of cardiovascular disease, which is presumed to be due to his exposure to Agent Orange during service. The Board granted the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability, major depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were related to in-service injuries or diseases.,There was no indication of herbicide exposure, and the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II did not manifest within one year from separation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to July 8, 2022, did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and hypertension have been denied as there is no credible or competent evidence of an in-service injury, disease, or continuity of symptomatology. The Board finds that the Veteran did not suffer any left knee or leg injury during his active service.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and remanded the issue of service connection for a liver disability secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's death was caused by acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, congestive heart failure, and chronic respiratory failure. The Board granted service connection for the cause of death due to hypertension, which was a significant condition contributing to his death.

The Board has denied service connection for insomnia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hypertension, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder. Special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error and inadequate opinions. The Veteran's right ankle disorder is related to service, but secondary service connection for his right knee strain and hypertension must be considered.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for hypertension and a higher rating for tinnitus are both denied. The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7101, as his blood pressure readings consistently showed diastolic pressure below 100 and systolic pressure below 160. For tinnitus, the maximum schedular allowance of 10 percent is assigned under Diagnostic Code 6260.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for neuropathy, nose bleeding/throat discomfort, shortness of breath at night, bilateral hip pain/movement, and hypertension has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims.,Service connection for hypertension is granted pursuant to the PACT Act.

The Veteran's benign fibrous dysplasia is currently rated at 10 percent, but no higher. The Veteran's hypertension requires continuous medication for control and has not been manifested by diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more.,The Veteran's bilateral subarachnoid hemorrhage is currently rated at 10 percent. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is rated at 30 percent, but no higher. The Veteran's sinusitis is rated at 10 percent, but no higher. Service connection for shortness of breath on exertion has been dismissed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome. The claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, headaches, and sleep apnea are remanded due to incomplete personnel records.

The Veteran's low back disability, left wrist arthritis, and hypertension have been granted service connection. The low back disability is directly related to the in-service motorcycle accident. Left wrist arthritis is presumed due to continuous symptomatology since service. Hypertension has been aggravated by chronic pain from other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal of the December 2018 SOC is reinstated, and his claims for service connection are decided on their merits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart condition and hypertension do not meet the criteria for service connection, as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service or exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's heart condition was diagnosed many years after discharge, and there is insufficient medical nexus to establish a link between his current condition and service.