Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for hyperlipidemia, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension were denied. The effective dates for the grants of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension were changed to March 9, 2010. A TDIU on a schedular basis was granted effective March 9, 2010.

The Veteran's cause of death, respiratory failure, is found to be related to his service-connected conditions (Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, PTSD, tinnitus, and hypertension). The issues of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation under 38 USC 1151 and 38 USC 1318 are dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's cause of death, coronary artery disease and hypertension, is granted as service connection is presumed due to herbicide exposure near the Korean DMZ.

The Board has found good cause for accepting the untimely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) regarding service connection for hypertension. The case is remanded to determine if an earlier effective date is warranted.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, osteoarthritis of the left hip (limitation of extension), and hypertension have been rated based on their current functional limitations. The psychiatric disorder has been rated as a separate condition.,Further evaluation is needed to determine if there are any additional factors that may warrant higher ratings for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service, specifically exposure to Agent Orange. As such, service connection for hypertension is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension meets the criteria for a 10 percent disability rating, granted since January 2012 when his blood pressure readings were predominantly over 100 in diastolic.

The Veteran's death was caused by a probable unspecified infection, with hypertension as the significant contributing condition. The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death due to herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection awards of fracture of right arm and humerus s/p shoulder surgery (dominant) associated with hypertension and residual scar, s/p right shoulder surgery associated with fracture or right arm and humerus s/p shoulder surgery (dominant), as there was no basis to grant such claims.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, coronary arteriosclerosis, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and left foot amputation are all granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure in Thailand.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for service-connected hypertension as his blood pressure readings did not meet the criteria for a 10% rating under Diagnostic Code 7101.

The Veteran's hypertension does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7101, as there were no blood pressure readings with diastolic pressure of predominantly 100 mm Hg or more or systolic pressure of predominantly 160 mm Hg or more during the period on appeal. The Veteran's hypertension was rated noncompensably disabling since August 10, 2022.

The Veteran's appeal of the December 2020 VA Form 20-0996 for service connection was denied because it was not received within one year after the May 2015 rating decision, and concurrent review options were prohibited.

The Board has dismissed the claim of service connection for GERD as it was already granted in a previous decision. The Board has also granted service connection for hypertension, finding that it is secondary to and aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is granted, effective from March 31, 2021. The Board also remanded the case to obtain blood pressure logs.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his chronic kidney disease with hypertension prior to August 28, 2018 was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for an infection, status post total right knee replacement is denied because he did not have a current disability characterized as an infection of the right knee during the claim period.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to provide a VA examination prior to assigning an initial rating for hypertension. The Veteran's hypertension was initially rated at 10 percent, and a new examination is needed to determine its current severity.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning and bases for the findings regarding the aggravation of sleep apnea by service-connected conditions, as well as obesity. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with a new examination.

The Veteran's neurocognitive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran also qualifies for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance due to multiple service-connected disabilities.