Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating for various disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his exposure to toxic substances (TERA) and delayed onset hearing loss.

The Board has dismissed the claims for increased ratings for Erectile Dysfunction and Hypertension, and has remanded the issues of a rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's hepatitis C claim is reopened and the Board finds it at least as likely as not related to drug use during service. The back disorder, GERD, trigger fingers in both hands, right shoulder disorder, hyperlipidemia, and respiratory disorder (likely COPD) claims are all remanded for further development.,The Veteran's claim for residuals of injury to the jaw and mouth, including a dental disorder, is reopened and the Board finds it at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury. The acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (likely referring to PTSD), hypertension, and right shoulder disorder claims are all remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, migraine headaches, and hypertension due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for erectile dysfunction as there is no competent evidence of a causal relationship with his military service.

The Veteran's initial rating for hypertension was denied, and the Board has ordered remand for further review of his erectile dysfunction claim. The decision on hypertension remains unchanged.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluation of hypertension and an initial evaluation in excess of 60 percent for chronic kidney disease were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the criteria provided.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and hypertensive heart disease, finding that the conditions are at least as likely as not caused by in-service herbicide exposure. The decision also finds that the Veteran's hypertensive heart disease is secondary to his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating has been assigned.,An earlier effective date of May 10, 2018, for service connection for depressive disorder is granted based on the receipt of an informal claim prior to the March 24, 2015 amendments.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial compensable disability rating for service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, resulting in the grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial disability rating for hypertension was denied as his blood pressure readings were below the criteria required for any higher ratings under DC 7101.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability, heart disability, and hypertension due to duty performed in National Guard service. The VA needs to obtain records of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA periods, provide a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss disability, and ensure all relevant evidence is considered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension had its onset during active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with prior remand instructions, requiring further development of medical opinion evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea disability.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, sleep disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), hypertension, and eye disorder have been denied due to lack of current diagnoses.,Service connection has not been established for any of the claimed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a right and left knee disability, as well as sleep apnea and hypertension. The heart disability claim was denied.,Service connection is established for the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, sleep apnea, and hypertension based on in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's hypertension was less likely than not related to service and did not arise within a year after separation from service.,The Board also denied service connection for heart disorder, concluding that it was less likely than not related to service due to the absence of evidence linking the condition to service or any compensable degree with a year of separation from service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension based on the PACT Act, but remanded other issues due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's tinnitus and hearing loss have been rated at the maximum available under VA regulations, so no increased ratings are granted.,Service connection for diabetes is remanded as there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between the condition and service or toxic exposure risk activities (TERA).,Service connection for sleep apnea, headaches, hypertension, and alcohol abuse secondary to diabetes is also remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's claims are not granted because the medical evidence does not support a causal relationship between these conditions and his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to a higher rating for PTSD, bilateral ankle sprains, and lumbar spine disabilities.,The evidence does not support an increased rating for GERD with hiatal hernia.