Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and hypertension are all rated at their current levels. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hypertension, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of March 23, 2023. The Board granted TDIU for this period.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for the service connection of coronary artery disease, surgical scar on left forearm, and other surgical scars associated with herbicide exposure. The effective dates are April 10, 2018 for coronary artery disease and October 5, 2018 for the surgical scars.

The appeals for service connection have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has denied service connection for Ischemic Heart Disease but granted service connection for Hypertension, which is associated with herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The Veteran's claim for IHD remains pending.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal in its entirety, and the Board dismissed the appeals for hypertension and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, which is secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The case will be returned for additional medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's PTSD causes or aggravates his hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to November 14, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension due to potential burn pit exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are currently rated at the maximum allowed under VA regulations, with no further schedular increases possible.,Hypertension is also currently rated at the maximum allowed under VA regulations.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, and a bilateral leg disorder as there is no persuasive evidence that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, but has remanded his claims for hypertension, chronic fatigue syndrome, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction due to potential exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of left ankle disability and hypertension, as well as his TDIU claim, are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining updated medical records and providing VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a back disability, hypertension, right foot disability, and left foot disability due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran's testimony regarding his in-service injuries and ongoing symptoms is considered.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a right wrist disability and left wrist disability due to insufficient development in the prior VA examination.,Additional medical evidence is needed to determine if these disabilities are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for acquired psychiatric disability (nervousness), hypertension, and bilateral eye conditions. The Veteran's claim for service connection of headaches is remanded.,Service connection was not granted for the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disability (nervousness), hypertension, or bilateral eye conditions due to lack of evidence supporting a current disability at any time during the pendency of the claims period and proximate thereto. The Board also denied service connection for headaches on remand.

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred during service and is denied.,Glaucoma and stroke are not secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension, and thus denial of service connection for these conditions.,There are no service-connected disabilities that would qualify the Veteran for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's hypertension has been granted an initial disability rating of 10 percent, effective August 10, 2022.

The Veteran's hypertension was not found to meet the criteria for a higher initial rating as it did not manifest in diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more nor systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more, and he does not have a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more requiring continuous medication.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral eye condition, including diagnoses such as ocular hypertension, glaucoma, dry eye syndrome, and cataracts, is related to service. However, a VA examination is needed to confirm these diagnoses and determine their etiology.