Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral ankle condition, bilateral knee condition, prostate cancer, and hypertension have all been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service events that would support these claims.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain evaluation was restored to 20 percent, effective January 10, 2019. An increased evaluation of 70 percent for unspecified depressive disorder and a 10 percent evaluation for hypertension were granted.

The appellant is eligible for attorney fees from the October 2022 grant of a 10 percent rating for hypertension and left long finger disability, effective February 25, 2022.,The appellant is not eligible for attorney fees from the October 2022 grant of a 10 percent rating for status post fracture, left long finger with arthritis.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for Erectile Dysfunction (ED) as secondary to his service-connected Hypertension (HTN). The case is being returned to the AOJ for further action, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether ED was caused or aggravated by HTN.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted, and his depression from December 1, 2019, is rated at 70 percent. Service connection for hypertension is denied. The claim of a higher rating for depression remains pending.

The Veteran's hypertension is presumed to have been incurred during service due to exposure to herbicide agents under the PACT Act. The claim for service connection on a direct theory of entitlement remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to a reasonable possibility that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities could prevent him from securing or maintaining gainful employment prior to May 12, 2020.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and emphysema due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The VA examiner is requested to review the Veteran's STRs, lay statements, and provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that his COPD and emphysema had its onset during or is otherwise related to in-service bronchitis.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for service-connected hypertension has been dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected hypertension, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The Veteran must be provided with new medical opinions regarding his hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for stroke and its residuals as secondary to hypertension and high cholesterol, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's lung cancer and COPD are granted service connection due to exposure to toxic substances in service. Hypertension is also granted service connection based on the same exposure. Service connection for sinusitis, acid reflux, constipation (IBS), and PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's appeals seeking service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, right and left upper extremities, and hypertension have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of her appeal by her representative.

Service connection for a dental condition is granted.,Service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is denied.,Service connection for a bilateral ankle condition is denied.,Service connection for hypertension as secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder and unspecified depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for AFib, hypertension, IHD, shortness of breath, and OSA due to potential exposure to toxins during military service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation for hypertension has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of this case.

The Veteran's lumbar spine, cervical spine, right shoulder and arm, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and cataracts disabilities are being remanded for additional development to address the adequacy of the medical opinions provided.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for his current lumbar spine, cervical spine, right shoulder and arm, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and cataracts disabilities. The claims are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors in obtaining adequate medical opinions regarding the onset and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew all appeals regarding the claims of hypertension, allergic rhinitis (claimed as sinusitis), internal hemorrhoids, left leg shortening, and status post vasectomy with transient acute epididymitis.

The Veteran's claim for a higher level of SMC was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for such an increase.