Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no medical evidence showing a nexus between his hypertension and his military service or any service-connected condition. The Board also found that there was insufficient evidence to establish secondary service connection due to PTSD.

The Board has denied service connection for right and left foot musculoskeletal disorders, tinea pedis, bruxism, allergies, hypertension, and a generalized anxiety disorder. The claims for these conditions are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension.

The Board has granted entitlement to a TDIU and basic eligibility for DEA benefits from February 22, 2021 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability and hypertension, but granted service connection for left shoulder and left knee disabilities. The claims for hypertension and right shoulder disability are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining additional VA medical opinions regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and whether PTSD is related to military service.

The Veteran's hypertension did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as there were no predominant blood pressure readings exceeding the schedular limits. The Board denied entitlement to a compensable rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial compensable rating for hypertension before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has determined that there are insufficient records to make a determination on the service connection claims for various disabilities. The Veteran's exposure history and prior service need further clarification, as well as additional medical opinions regarding peripheral artery disease and neuropathy.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypothyroidism, hypertension, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other causative factors.

The Veteran's appeal for increased SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(p) and higher rate of SMC based on the need for a higher level of aid and attendance under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(2) is denied due to lack of eligibility for compensation at the maximum rate or intermediate rate authorized.

An effective date of January 1, 2022, is granted for a 70 percent rating for PTSD with depression.,An effective date of September 17, 2022, is granted for a 60 percent rating for IHD.,No earlier effective date is granted for the award of a 20 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss.,An effective date of January 11, 2010, but no earlier, is granted for service connection for a surgical scar associated with IHD.,An effective date earlier than August 10, 2022, is denied for service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to service. The Veteran was not shown to have served in Vietnam or be exposed to herbicide agents during his service.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and medical opinions are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, as well as a remand is required for an initial compensable rating for right lower extremity scars.

The Veteran's hypertension was evaluated at a 10% rating under Diagnostic Code 7101, which requires diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more. The evidence did not show these criteria were met.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease and hypertension due to a lack of in-service exposure to herbicide agents, no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that caused these conditions, and failure to show manifestations within one year of discharge from service.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease and hypertension have been granted a total disability evaluation and a compensable rating, respectively. The decision is based on the Veteran's service-connected conditions and does not involve any presumption or exposure basis.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection and assigned a noncompensable rating. The Board found that the evidence demonstrated the Veteran is entitled to an initial compensable rating of 10 percent for service-connected hypertension, but not higher.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased disability ratings have been dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as he died during their pendency.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 14, 2015.