Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including restrictive lung disease, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, left wrist strain with degenerative arthritis, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and residual of right ear otitis media, have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Erectile Dysfunction and Hypertension, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's hypertension was evaluated and found not to meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA disability evaluation guidelines. The Board determined that his blood pressure readings did not consistently exceed the thresholds required for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for hypertension has been dismissed as he requested to withdraw the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus (DM2) due to a lack of evidence showing the condition was incurred in or caused by active service.,Service connection for musculoskeletal left and right foot conditions is also denied as there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for high blood pressure and an increased rating for sleep apnea have been dismissed due to the failure to timely file a Notice of Disagreement (NOD) within one year of receiving the decision.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his service connection claims for hypertension and a right hip condition. The Board also finds that the Veteran should be provided with VA medical opinions to address the etiology of his right hip condition and hypertension.

The Veteran's request for an extension of time to file a VA Form 10182 seeking to appeal the April 2021 rating decision was granted. The May 23, 2023 form is deemed timely.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for hypertension was denied as his blood pressure readings did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, which was added to the list of diseases presumptively associated with exposure to herbicide agents by the PACT Act effective August 10, 2022, has been granted. However, an earlier effective date is denied as the criteria have not been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand/wrist may be related to service, but a new examination is needed to determine this relationship.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart condition as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension.

The Board has remanded the claims for PTSD, chronic lower back condition, and HTN due to insufficient medical evidence on file. The Veteran is not afforded a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of the claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that new medical opinions are required for the Veteran's hypertension, GERD, fatigue (claimed as chronic fatigue syndrome), joint pain (claimed as fibromyalgia), and heart disorder claims due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchiectasis and pulmonary hypertension were denied in August 2016. The effective date of the grant of service connection was set at February 18, 2020. The Board found that an earlier effective date is not warranted as the prior decisions became final.

The Board has remanded the claims for cluster headaches and hypertension due to incomplete service treatment records. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined and will be considered after the increased rating claims are addressed.

The Veteran's hypertension is presumed service connected due to his service in Vietnam under the PACT Act, and this appeal is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient compliance with previous instructions. The Veteran's Bell's palsy, coronary artery disease, and hypertension are being reviewed for secondary service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's OSA. The matter is now pending further review.

The Board has decided the claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension. The hypertension claim is now pending again, requiring further examination and analysis.