Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that new evidence was submitted and must be reviewed by the AOJ before a final decision can be made on your claims for service connection.

The Veteran is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to January 31, 2020.

The Board has denied service connection for visual degradation due to the lack of current disability. The claims for right foot disability, hepatitis C, hypertension, low back disability, and duodenitis are remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine their relationship to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to January 28, 2019.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted a 10 percent rating. The hip, headache, and GERD issues are REMANDED for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for right knee strain with degenerative arthritis, hypertension, and total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU) due to incomplete VA examinations and unclear opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to procedural issues and the need for additional medical examinations. The claims will be reconsidered on their merits.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for epilepsy, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder and borderline personality disorder), headaches, high blood pressure, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The issues of service connection have been addressed on their merits.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, erectile dysfunction, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension as related to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand prior to August 10, 2022.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for PTSD, schizophrenia, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), tremors in the upper extremities, right hand and fifth digit arthritis, right knee disability, left knee disability, and fainting spells with shortness of breath. The effective date for service connection remains February 2, 2018.

The Veteran's hypertension is denied as there is no confirmed diagnosis of the condition and no evidence linking it to service or a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's left foot disability is denied due to lack of in-service incurrence or aggravation, and no current medical evidence supporting its etiology.,The Veteran's right foot disability is denied for similar reasons as his left foot disability.,The Veteran's liver disability (transaminitis) is denied as there is no confirmed diagnosis and no evidence linking it to service or a service-connected condition.,The Veteran's right knee strain is denied as the current medical evidence does not support an initial compensable rating, and the issue was remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's hypertension and chronic cough have been granted service connection, while his allergic rhinitis has not.,Bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further development.

The Board has vacated the January 2024 decision and granted increased disability ratings for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction (Nehmer Granted), hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and thrombosis. The Veteran also received SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Board dismissed the appeals for diabetes mellitus, type II, emphysema, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, lumbar stenosis and disc herniation with radiculopathy, and PTSD as untimely filed.

Service connection for hypertension is granted on a direct basis due to exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange, during service in Vietnam. The decision also considers the presumption under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder and depressed mood, as well as his hypertension disability are both granted service connection on a direct basis. The Board found that the Veteran experienced in-service stressors related to his military service which led to his current conditions.

The Board has determined that the initial decision on appeal did not adequately address the Veteran's cause of death claim, specifically regarding his brain cancer and hypertension. The Board finds that VA failed to obtain necessary medical opinions and non-VA treatment records prior to making its decision.

The Veteran's claims for erectile dysfunction, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and hypertension were denied as there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,For left ear hearing loss, the claim was not addressed due to lack of a diagnosis during or prior to the appeal period.

Your appeals for service connection for depressive disorder and hypertension have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn them.

The Veteran's hypertension and lower extremity vascular disease are granted service connection under the PACT Act, which presumes exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran also has a grant of an increased rating for his depressive disorder.