Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's TDIU claims, including a schedular TDIU from August 10, 2022 and an extraschedular TDIU prior to that date. The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU consideration from August 10, 2022 but not prior to that date.

The Board has granted the claim for service connection for the Veteran's cause of death, finding that hypertension, which was at least as likely as not a result of an in-service disease or injury (presumably due to herbicide exposure), contributed substantially to the Veteran's death from congestive heart failure.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for high cholesterol, peripheral arterial occlusive disease (claimed as muscle cramps, pain in legs, and trouble with holding and gripping items), hypertension, diabetes mellitus, seizure disorder, and cataracts due to outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's spouse testified that he received treatment at a VA clinic in Greeneville, Mississippi, and there was no indication of such records being obtained.

The Board has determined that further examination and development are necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection. The issues of entitlement to service connection have been remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as a result of the PACT Act, but his direct service connection for hypertension before August 10, 2022, and his PAD are remanded due to lack of medical opinion.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as presumptively service-connected due to exposure to herbicide agents under the PACT Act.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory condition, diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and impotence as there is no evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service. The Board found that the current diagnoses are not related to service.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted a 10% evaluation, but no higher, beginning February 28, 2018. The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for his left knee disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and timing of his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more at any point during the appeals period.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence received since the last decision, including VA treatment records and examination reports. The AOJ should review all of this evidence before readjudicating the claims.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, finding that there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or a nexus to his current disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and remanded the issue of service connection for headaches due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for left hemifacial spasm and hypertension due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss has continued to decline since his last examination, and thus a new examination is needed to assess the current severity or extent of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep apnea, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's service periods and incomplete medical records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of consideration under the PACT Act, and also because further examinations are needed.

The Board has vacated the August 2022 decision denying an earlier effective date for TDIU prior to February 13, 2020 due to insufficient time allowed after a previous extension of time.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for a more thorough evaluation to determine its severity during the relevant period.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for an addendum VA opinion to determine if his service-connected conditions, including coronary artery disease and scar, status post stent placements, caused or aggravated his sleep apnea.