Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2024

The Board denied service connection for hypertension with secondary cerebral vascular accident and residuals, as well as a lung disorder to include as due to exposure to herbicide agents, asbestos, and exhaust fumes. The claims were based on direct evidence of the conditions rather than presumptive or secondary service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD, hypertension, and OSA have been granted service connection. The remaining issues are being remanded for further development.,Service connection has been established for PTSD, hypertension, and OSA based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions and exposure basis. The claim for migraine headaches is also remanded for a medical opinion on the severity of the condition without considering medication effects.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error, specifically regarding an inadequate opinion on the cause of death and secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence was not received to readjudicate the previously denied claims of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral pes planus, depression, hypertension, hypothyroidism, insomnia, left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, lumbago, right shoulder arthritis, sickle cell anemia, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's hypertension has been rated as noncompensable since May 2013. The Board granted a compensable rating of 10 percent for the service-connected hypertension based on a history of diastolic blood pressure predominantly 100 or more and the need for continuous medication.

The Board has denied the service connection for hypertension and remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea.

Service connection for hypertension was granted on a direct basis with an effective date of March 31, 2020. The claim for a compensable rating for hypertension is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, specifically regarding the Veteran's diagnoses of hypertension and diabetes mellitus. The case is now pending for further examination and opinion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various scars and hypertension. The case is remanded to consider whether an extraschedular rating is warranted, as well as to address the issue of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to July 18, 2023.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not result in the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status, leading to a denial of SMC.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU for the period prior to June 21, 2023, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board dismissed the TDIU claim for the period from June 21, 2023, as moot due to the Veteran's receipt of a 100% combined disability rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence received after a previous Supplemental Statement of the Case. The issues include the cause of death, intracranial hemorrhage, acquired psychiatric disorder (likely PTSD), diabetes mellitus, low back disorder, hypertension, and eye disorder.

The Board has remanded four issues for further development: service connection for a skin disability, service connection for migraines, service connection for hypertension, and the rating of reactive airway disease combined with obstructive sleep apnea. The remand instructions include obtaining updated VA treatment records, an examination to determine the etiology of any current skin condition, a new opinion on the relationship between hypertension and service, and a comprehensive evaluation of the Veteran's respiratory disability.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including hypertension, skin disorder, sleep apnea, arthritis of the cervical spine, arthritis of the left knee, arthritis of the right hip, and removal of gall bladder, all allegedly due to exposure during Project SHAD. The Board found that there was no clear evidence of specific health effects associated with Project SHAD participation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral eye disability was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection for ischemic heart disease is granted based on presumed exposure to herbicides during active duty. Service connection for hypertension is also granted, with the presumption of association with herbicide exposure.,Service connection for stroke with residual paralysis of the left side of the body was remanded due to insufficient information regarding a potential nexus between the condition and service.

The Veteran's death appeal was remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and service connection, as well as the need for additional development of records.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, sleep apnea, and Type II diabetes mellitus as secondary to service-connected osteoarthritis of the right hip due to inadequate VA medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to new evidence received since the last denial. The VA will obtain a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, heart disability, and obstructive sleep apnea due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The claims are now pending with VA for further examination and opinion.