Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, high blood pressure, hypothyroidism, neuropathy, and sleep apnea due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran asserts exposure to herbicide agents during a secret mission in Korea.

The Board has determined that the VA examination provided was inadequate and remands the case for a new examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's restless leg syndrome, including whether it is proximately due to or aggravated by any service-connected conditions.

The Board has readjudicated the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a heart condition, and hypertension due to new evidence submitted since the August 2019 rating decision. The Veteran's stressor statement provided in March 2020 was considered, along with VA treatment records and a VA examination, which supported reopening of these claims.

The Veteran's diabetes, coronary arteriosclerosis, and hypertension are granted as presumptively related to herbicide exposure in Okinawa. The claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy is denied due to lack of relevant evidence. The claim for service connection for bilateral upper extremity neuropathy is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for service-connected seborrheic dermatitis was denied as the evidence did not show that his condition met the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for service-connected hypertension was also denied because his blood pressure readings did not meet the criteria for a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7101.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension has been rated at 10 percent since the initial decision, with no higher rating granted due to lack of evidence showing diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more.

Service connection is granted for diabetes mellitus, type II and ischemic heart disease as due to herbicide agent exposure. Service connection for hypertension based on the PACT Act presumption is also granted.,Service connection is granted for left hand numbness and right hand numbness as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.,Service connection for hypertension is remanded as it was not decided under the presumptive basis of herbicide agent exposure. Service connection based on other theories remains pending.

The appeal seeking payment or reimbursement for medical services performed on March 13, 2020 is dismissed as the claim was timely filed and approved under 38 U.S.C. § 1725.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for hypertension is being remanded due to a duty to assist error in not obtaining relevant VISTA images from his VA treatment records.

The Veteran's hypertension disability, which requires continuous medication since August 10, 2022, does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as there is no history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more prior to starting continuous medication.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss due to duty to assist errors.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, attributing it to his hypertension and hypothyroidism, which are presumed due to herbicide exposure under the PACT Act. The Board found that these conditions contributed substantially to the Veteran's death from dementia.

The Veteran's hypertension, which required continuous medication for control of high blood pressure readings above 100 diastolic or 200 systolic, is granted a 10% rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, and hypertension have been dismissed as the AOJ has granted these conditions in full.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and sinusitis are remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing their secondary nature.

The Board has denied service connection for ischemic heart disease due to lack of a current diagnosis. The claims for Parkinson's disease and hypertension are remanded as the Veteran may have had exposure in Guam, which could qualify him under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's hypertension did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as per Diagnostic Code 7101, and therefore, an initial compensable rating is denied.

The Veteran's hypertension requires continuous medication for control, and the Board has granted a 10 percent rating for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of hypertension was denied as the earliest allowable effective date is June 22, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been remanded due to the submission of new evidence.,Claims for effective dates earlier than March 17, 2023, for CAD, ED, and tinnitus have been denied as there was no prior intent to file a claim before that date.,The Veteran's hypertension claim is not being readjudicated due to the law change allowing VA to grant this claim on August 10, 2022.,SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ has been denied as it was awarded based on the effective date for erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including CAD, hypertension, back disability, and neck disability, prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow any form of gainful employment due to these conditions.