Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and is not shown to be causally related to an in-service event. Service connection for hypertension is denied.,The Board found a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding the low back disability, as the October 2018 VA examiner's opinion did not address the effect of service-connected pneumonia on the Veteran's asthma. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion.,Regarding the respiratory disorder, the Board noted that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error in the December 2018 VA examiner's opinion, which did not address the role of service-connected pneumonia in the manifestation of the Veteran's asthma. The case is also remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error in not addressing direct service connection for hypertension. A new VA medical opinion is required.

The Veteran's hypertension was found to not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, as his blood pressure readings did not consistently show diastolic pressure of predominantly 100 or more or systolic blood pressure of predominantly 160 or more. The Veteran requires medication but does not have a history of these high pressures.

The Board denied the Veteran's eligibility for benefits under the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) due to a finding that he did not meet the criteria for personal care services, as his medical and functional assessments indicated he could manage his own daily activities and medications without assistance.

The Veteran's hypertension requires continuous medication for control but does not have a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more. During the rating period under review, hypertension did not manifest in diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more or in systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more.

The Veteran's hypertension has not been shown to meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, as his diastolic pressure has not been predominantly 100 or more and his systolic pressure has not been predominantly 160 or more during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal for payment of service-connected benefits during the period from September 1, 2022 to December 1, 2022 is dismissed because he has already expressed disagreement with this issue in a prior decision.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal of the initial evaluations for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, leading to the dismissal of these issues.

The Veteran's hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and obstructive sleep apnea were not incurred during active duty or within one year of separation from active duty. The lumbar spine disorder was not diagnosed during a period of qualifying service.,Service connection for these conditions is denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's hypertension was rated as noncompensable since service connection, granted effective October 1, 2019. The Board found an initial disability rating of 10 percent warranted due to the Veteran's history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more and requirement for continuous medication.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ear hearing loss and hypertension were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating in either case, and remanded one of his issues regarding service connection for headaches secondary to hypertension.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for hypertension is denied, and the right thumb disability claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has dismissed the claim for a compensable rating for hypertension as moot due to concurrent adjudication and granting of the rating. The Veteran is granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, which have rendered him unemployable. SMC for aid and attendance is also granted due to the Veteran's need for substantial assistance from his husband.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as the evidence does not show current hearing loss for VA purposes.,The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected hypertension has been denied as his blood pressure readings do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as a result of the PACT Act, effective from August 10, 2022. The issue of service connection for IBS secondary to diabetes mellitus type 2 with erectile dysfunction remains remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's low back, right knee, left knee, right shoulder, and left shoulder conditions are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's psychiatric condition (including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder) and hypertension are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for hypertension, finding that the evidence does not support a finding of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more. The Veteran was required to take continuous medication but did not have a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more prior to going on medication.

The Board denied an initial rating higher than 10 percent for hypertension and dismissed the issue of entitlement to TDIU as it has already been granted.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for benign essential hypertension and his TDIU claim have both been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for hypertension, as there was no history of diastolic blood pressure predominantly 100 or more requiring continuous medication control.