Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and a compensable rating for hypertension was denied. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date for the award of service connection for hypertension is August 10, 2022, due to the PACT Act.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, prostate cancer, and hypertension due to potential reopening of the claims based on new evidence. The hearing loss issue remains denied.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the appellant's death.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and a lumbosacral spine disability, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not begin during or as a result of his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% since May 17, 2022. The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of hypertension, detached retina disorder, and back disorder.

The Veteran's hypertension was found not to meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The reduction of his migraine headaches disability rating from 50% to noncompensable was granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected hypertension is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records.

The Veteran has been unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected disabilities since December 21, 2013. The Board grants TDIU from December 21, 2013 to July 26, 2018.

The Veteran's hypertension, weight gain, and hyperreflexia claims were denied. The rating for hypertension was not higher than 10 percent. Service connection for weight gain and hyperreflexia was not established.

The appeal is remanded due to the need for further evaluation and evidence regarding service connection for low back disability, diabetes mellitus, heart disease, and hypertension.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service records are incomplete and remands for further efforts to obtain these records. The issues of service connection remain on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected hypertension and erectile dysfunction were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals of service connection for left knee replacement, hypertension, and CAD under the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) because the Veteran did not withdraw his Legacy appeal for these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension claim requires additional evidence and a medical examination to determine if it is related to service. The case is therefore being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD has been denied. The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 0 percent disabling and continues to be evaluated.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it did not develop within a year of discharge from active duty and was not aggravated by service. The Board also found no evidence to support a link between the Veteran's hypertension and his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, and his acquired psychiatric disorder is granted a 50% rating. His hypertension receives a minimum compensable rating of 10%. The appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for chronic bilateral knee strain or bilateral hip disability, and there was insufficient evidence to grant service connection for neurological disabilities of the lower extremities, hypertension, endocrine disability, or unspecified muscle disability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease for accrued benefits purposes due to a lack of an Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record (ILER). The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss for accrued benefits purposes is denied as there was no new and relevant evidence presented.

The Veteran's 20% rating for hypertension was restored to 20% effective January 1, 2021. The Board found that the evidence did not show sustained material improvement in the Veteran's condition under ordinary conditions of life.