Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cardiac disability, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities. The decision also dismissed his claim for erectile dysfunction.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and gout, but granted service connection for left ear hearing loss.,Right ear hearing loss is remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's effective date for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) at the housebound level is granted as of May 10, 2007. The decision was based on his service-connected disabilities totaling 60 percent disabling.

The Veteran's hypertension has not been manifested by diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more. The Veteran's hypertension does not have a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more.,The Veteran's adenocarcinoma of the prostate is in remission and warrants at least a 10 percent rating based on residual voiding dysfunction.

The Veteran's hypertension, which requires continuous medication for control, has not met the criteria for a compensable disability rating under VA regulations. The Board found that the evidence did not show diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for hypertension and ischemic heart disease due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship to service.

The Board dismissed all appeals as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including heart disability, prostate cancer, hypertension, fatigue, syncope, vertigo, erectile dysfunction, glaucoma, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, have all been denied as not supported by evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Board has granted an initial compensable rating of 10 percent for hypertension. The issues of service connection for headaches and eye disability, as secondary to service-connected hypertension, are remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and prostate cancer due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during the Veteran's service near the Korean DMZ. The PACT Act of 2022 established hypertension as a presumptive condition associated with such exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, PTSD with alcohol and marijuana use disorders, and TDIU from December 31, 2009 is granted. The claims for shrinkage with fluid on the brain as secondary to PTSD with alcohol and marijuana use disorders and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and sleep apnea are remanded due to potential exposure to PCBs while stationed at Fort McClellan. The right knee and left knee disability ratings are also remanded as the evidence is conflicting. The TDIU and SMC based on loss of use of the lower extremities claims are remanded in conjunction with the knee issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and hypertension are both remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical records and provide a comprehensive opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current hypertension is related to his service, including in-service elevated blood pressure readings, or if it is due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, and right knee disability due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The claims are also being remanded for a retrospective opinion on the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lung cancer in remission, prostate cancer (remission), tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, myocardial infarction, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted the TDIU on a schedular basis.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bladder cancer is granted as a complete grant of the benefits sought on appeal.,New and relevant evidence has been received to establish service connection for sleep apnea, secondary to intermittent explosive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's TDIU rating was reinstated from October 1, 2016 to May 20, 2019. The Board found that the effective date should be extended back to the July 2016 decision due to the Veteran meeting the schedular criteria for a TDIU rating at that time.

The Veteran's hypertension is related to acknowledged herbicide exposure in service and granted pursuant to the PACT Act. The issues of adrenal adenoma, BPH, essential thrombocythemia, MPN, polycythemia vera, renal lesion, and polymyalgia rheumatica are remanded for further examination and opinion regarding their relationship to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction (secondary to hypertension) have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's current conditions were related to his military service.