Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for high cholesterol, neck disability, right shoulder disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, and high blood pressure have all been denied. The Board found that there is no current disability for each condition.,There was insufficient evidence to establish a link between the claimed disabilities and service.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's chronic kidney disease (CKD) is currently rated as 30 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and its complications are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC based on aid and attendance claims are being remanded due to the unique facts of his case, including a stroke that rendered him unable to work.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that his blood pressure readings do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for headaches, heart disorder, hypertension, bilateral lung disorder, skeletal arthritis of the entire body, and diabetes mellitus type II due to insufficient etiology opinions. The Veteran's conditions are being reviewed again.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as a presumptive condition related to the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand, effective October 1, 2026.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at a noncompensable level, but the Board has granted an initial 10 percent evaluation based on continuous medication to control his condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a duty to assist error regarding private medical records from his cardiologist.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure during active duty in Vietnam. The Veteran's hypertension is related to his military service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for lumbago of the lumbar region, diabetes mellitus, type II, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including hemorrhoids and hypertension, were found to not meet the criteria for a compensable rating at any point during the appeal period.,For post-operative arthroscopy with degenerative joint disease of the left ankle, the evidence did not support a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's service connection claims for arterioslerotic heart disease to include status post CABG (claimed as ischemic heart disease and heart attack), diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, diabetic nephropathy (claimed and rated as prostate stones), and a skin disability, to include chloracne are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction on a basis other than as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II for which service connection was granted pursuant to the PACT Act are also being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetic nephropathy (claimed and rated as prostate stones) is being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's service connection claims for arterioslerotic heart disease to include status post CABG, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and diabetic nephropathy (claimed and rated as prostate stones) are being granted on a basis other than as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II for which service connection was granted pursuant to the PACT Act.,The Veteran's service connection claim for skin disability, to include chloracne is being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's service connection claims for arterioslerotic heart disease to include status post CABG (claimed as ischemic heart disease and heart attack), diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, diabetic nephropathy (claimed and rated as prostate stones), and a skin disability, to include chloracne are being granted on a basis other than as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II for which service connection was granted pursuant to the PACT Act.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to May 3, 2017 due to a lack of evidence showing he was unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development and medical opinions to address continuity of symptomatology, etiology, and other relevant factors.

The Board denied service connection for heart disease and hypertension, finding that the current diagnoses were less likely than not related to service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy and granted a 10 percent rating, but no higher, for hypertension. The claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension due to presumed exposure to herbicide agent is granted. The Board also remanded the issues of facial numbness, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 3, 2012 for the grant of Total Disability Rating Due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU). The appeal is remanded to determine if earlier effective dates are warranted.