Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, cysts, acne, and coronary artery disease have been granted. The claim for degenerative arthritis (left knee osteoarthritis) is remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation were denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria established by VA regulations.

The Veteran's hepatitis A was diagnosed in service and resolved without recurrence. The Board finds the evidence does not support a current diagnosis of hepatitis.,Hypertension has been found to be present, but its onset is unclear as it may be related to the PACT Act presumption based on herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for CLL, diabetes mellitus, and related conditions were denied in a final September 2008 decision. The appellant is seeking earlier effective dates for these grants of service connection on the basis of substitution.,The claim for hypertension was granted based on the PACT Act, which added hypertension to the list of diseases presumptively associated with herbicide agent exposure. The effective date for this grant is August 10, 2022.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted service connection based on the PACT Act, but the issue of service connection prior to August 10, 2022, requires further development.

The Veteran's hypertension and residuals of stroke have worsened, and he is entitled to a remand for further evaluation. The issue of service connection for retinopathy secondary to hypertension is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for obtaining VA medical records from the Veteran's non-VA primary care provider, Dr. H., regarding hypertension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and high blood pressure due to procedural errors in previous decisions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examinations and potential errors in duty to assist. The Veteran's conditions include back disability, left leg nerve condition, hypertensive heart disease, and hypertension.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as presumptive under the PACT Act. The other conditions are not presumed and require direct service connection.,Service connection for right hip disorder, left hip disorder, and right upper extremity disorder (claimed as arthritis in joints) is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's periods of active service, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA. The AOJ needs to verify these dates before making a determination on the claim for hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as a presumptive condition caused by Agent Orange exposure during the Veteran's service in Vietnam, effective from the date of the PACT Act (August 10, 2022). The other issues are remanded for further examination and medical opinions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to assist the Veteran with his claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and providing notice regarding military sexual trauma. The claims for service connection are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 40 percent effective August 12, 2018.,The Veteran's hypertension is not rated in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for sleep apnea, COPD, gout, hypertension, and diabetes have been remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for ischemic heart disease was denied. The case was remanded multiple times, but the Veteran was granted TDIU effective from August 10, 2022, and referred for extraschedular consideration prior to that date.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee, right knee, and right eye disabilities. For hypertension, the claim was denied as there is no evidence of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more at any point during the appeal period.

The Board has ordered remand due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and providing an adequate opinion regarding service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted an increased, 10 percent disability evaluation.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.