Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2024

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea, chronic fatigue syndrome, left knee disability, and erectile dysfunction as untimely.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and other claims were generally granted, with some issues being denied or having their ratings adjusted. The decision covers various conditions including RLS, PTSD with TBI, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, herpes simplex virus, cervical spine DDD, tarsal tunnel syndrome, knee pain syndromes, and thumb sprain.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a small superficially healing ulcer from chemical burn to his left side of face, bilateral tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, pes planus and plantar fasciitis of the right foot, and right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or any other compensable basis.

The Board has denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder, eye disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, GAD, MDD). The case is being remanded to obtain verification of in-service stressors and to provide appropriate examinations.,Service connection will be considered if the Veteran's current condition is found to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to inadequate TERA opinions and the need for additional clarification. The claims include chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), kidney cancer, colon cancer, hypertension, fistulas of the left arm with scar, fistula of the right arm with scar, and diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's long history of high blood pressure readings during and after service supports a grant of service connection under the theory of continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and Parkinson's like symptoms due to herbicide agent exposure is granted. The Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam, which qualifies him for presumptive service connection under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's service connection for sleep apnea was denied, while hypertension was granted based on presumed herbicide exposure. The claim for erectile dysfunction is being remanded.,Service connection for hypertension has been established due to presumed herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular rating requirements for TDIU since November 14, 2022. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether he was unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension as secondary to his service-connected ischemic heart disease was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of causation or aggravation, and thus denied the claim.

The Board has determined that the AOJ did not obtain all relevant evidence prior to the September 2020 rating decision, and thus remands are necessary for additional development.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to incomplete military records and need for further examination.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including VA treatment records, private treatment records, and opinions regarding toxic exposure risk activities (TERA).

The Board has decided to remand the case for further review, including on a presumptive, direct, and secondary basis. The Veteran provided new evidence at his hearing that obesity may have contributed to his hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for TDIU, DEA eligibility, and SMC based on housebound status due to lack of evidence showing entitlement arose prior to April 11, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to verify the Veteran's claimed in-service exposure to herbicide agents/Agent Orange. The cause of death is listed as severe cardiomyopathy, ischemic cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidemia.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds no evidence to support a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7101.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for a compensable rating for hypertension, effective July 19, 2013, and for an earlier effective date than July 19, 2013, for the grant of service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and various musculoskeletal conditions, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of these disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for hypertension has been dismissed because the appellant's attorney requested withdrawal of the appeal.