Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, renal failure, cervical cancer, and special monthly compensation due to in-service onset or aggravation of these conditions. Additional development is needed to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board has remanded several issues, including those related to bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as some of the disability evaluations.

The Veteran's hypertension, which requires continuous medication, is currently rated at 10 percent disabling. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating as the Veteran's blood pressure readings do not consistently meet the criteria for a 20 percent or higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypothyroidism, hypertension, a respiratory disability, and hematuria due to Gulf War Undiagnosed Illness. The Veteran's symptoms have not been diagnosed during service or post-service records, and additional examinations are needed.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is directly caused by his in-service exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for a left ankle scar has been denied. The Board found that the scars do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his left ankle disability is remanded due to insufficient examination findings regarding the severity and nature of the ankylosis, as well as the presence of flare-ups. The May 2023 VA examiner did not address these issues comprehensively.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is granted. His 10% rating for allergic rhinitis is restored, and his claims for other conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted with a 10% rating, effective July 13, 2018. An earlier effective date of September 28, 2017, for the grant of service connection for hypertension is also granted.,The Veteran's TBI claim and TDIU claim are remanded due to failure to report for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hepatitis C, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea due to a lack of evidence showing a link between these conditions and military service. The appeal is not ready for appellate review without obtaining missing medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, kidney disability, skin condition, right hand tremors, left hand disability, right knee condition, left knee condition, right ankle condition, left ankle condition, lower bilateral gout, and sleep apnea are not related to service. As a result, the claims for these conditions have been denied.

The appeal for service connection for a low back disability is dismissed.,Service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension are granted due to exposure to herbicide agents, with the PACT Act providing presumptive service connection for hypertension. Service connection for PTSD is also granted based on in-service combat experience.,Remanded issues: service connection for fragment wounds to the left arm, right arm, and head.

The appeal for service connection for degenerative arthritis is dismissed. The appeals for service connection for cold injury residuals to the feet, lumbosacral strain, gastrointestinal condition, acquired psychiatric disorder, and hypertension are all remanded.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death due to high grade retroperitoneal liposarcoma, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The evidence did not support a finding of herbicide exposure or toxic chemical exposure during service, nor was there any credible evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were 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 hypertension, which has been treated with medication since at least 2007, is now rated as 10 percent disabling effective August 10, 2022.

The Board has denied service connection for a pulmonary disability. The claims of service connection for heart, prostate, unstable angina, and carotid artery stenosis disabilities are remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied. Service connection for hypertension (HTN) is granted and the appeal is remanded for further examination to determine if service connection should be granted for bilateral foot, knee, neck, or right shoulder disorders.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for skin cancer has been reopened, but the evidence does not support a finding that he had chloracne during his period of active service.,Service connection is denied for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder as there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Board finds remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The claim for PTSD remains pending and requires further examination.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted a 10 percent rating, but no higher.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability remains denied for a rating in excess of 20 percent.,The Veteran's headaches are remanded and will be re-adjudicated.