Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's hypertension was denied as not related to service or a service-connected condition.,Higher ratings for upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy were denied due to the severity of symptoms and muscle strength levels.

The Veteran's herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 was granted a 30% rating. Service connection for hypertension, major depressive disorder, right shoulder disorder (painful limitation of motion), and hearing loss in the right ear were all denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, a foot disorder, and a hand/finger disorder due to lack of new and relevant evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypothyroidism, cardiovascular disability, and hypertension due to their inextricably intertwined nature with the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The case is being sent back for a medical opinion on whether these conditions are secondary to his PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension effective from August 10, 2022, under the PACT Act. The other issues are remanded due to new evidence and potential TERA exposure.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic renal disease, cirrhosis of the liver with portal hypertension and hepatitis C, depression, flat feet, allergic rhinitis, and hypertension have been granted. The effective date is March 25, 2020, for all claims except for chronic renal disease, which has an effective date of March 25, 2020. A 60 percent rating is assigned for left lower extremity radiculopathy from January 30, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been dismissed.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a current diagnosis of left ear hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's application for Legacy S-DVI was denied due to his history of liver cancer, Hepatitis C, and GERD. The Board has determined that the decision on appeal is flawed due to a lack of underwriting procedures compliance and procedural errors in notification.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of hypertension has been dismissed because he passed away before a decision could be made.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and hypertension due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, specifically related to the Veteran's alleged in-service exposures. The AOJ is required to research the Veteran's exposure records based on his allegations of herbicide agent exposure during service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction and hypertension, effective August 10, 2022. Additionally, the Board has granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of a creative organ, also effective August 10, 2022.

The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error and remanded the case for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's erectile dysfunction disability is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected heart, back, and radiculopathy disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in failing to provide the Veteran with a right to a hearing before the AOJ, and instructions are given for the AOJ to correct this error.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date prior to May 30, 2019, for the award of service connection for hypertension is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for service-connected hypertension is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ will request the Veteran's medical records from Lakeland Regional Hospital and issue a new rating decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for high cholesterol, hypertension, insomnia, thyroid disease (claimed as hypothyroid), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and gout. The reasons include that these conditions are not shown to be related to active duty or inactive duty training, and there is no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's service and his current disabilities.

The Veteran's hypertension, which required continuous medication for control, is granted with a 10 percent rating since January 30, 2018. The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension more likely than not would have exhibited diastolic pressure predominantly 160 or more without medication.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension. The claims of service connection for left knee condition and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, right and left shin splints due to insufficient evidence or procedural errors.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, tuberculosis, and skin rash, arm and groin have been dismissed due to procedural errors. The claim for hypertension has been granted as it had its onset in service.