Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2024

Service connection for PFB is granted. Service connection for dizziness, hypertension (secondary to PTSD), left foot disability (secondary to lumbar spine disability), right foot disability (secondary to lumbar spine disability), and left shoulder disability (secondary to PTSD) are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his fatal cardiomyopathy with arrhythmia was likely due to coronary artery disease and hypertension, which are presumptively service connected given his Agent Orange exposure in Guam and Thailand.

The Veteran's hypertension and sleep apnea are being remanded for further evaluation due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The claims will be reconsidered with the addition of new opinions addressing whether these conditions are proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has denied service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, GERD, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and plantar fasciitis. The issues of right hip disability and skin disability are remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran is granted SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(o) and (r)(1) as of September 28, 2021 due to service-connected disabilities resulting in need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has granted the appellant's claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, but denied the claims for erectile dysfunction (ED) and hypertension.

The Veteran is granted higher levels of Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) at rates based on loss of use of both hands and need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board is remanding all service connection claims due to inadequate examinations and opinions, including those for heart condition, hypertension, bilateral foot condition, ankle conditions, elbow conditions, hip conditions, knee conditions, wrist condition, shoulder conditions, and TDIU.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of September 29, 2020 for service connection for hypertension and a grant of service connection for retinal detachment, pseudophakia, cataracts, and asteroid hyalosis (claimed as left eye degenerative eye operation). The Veteran's hypertension was found to be caused by in-service exposure to herbicide. Service connection for coronary artery disease is granted at 100 percent with an effective date of August 4, 2021.

Service connection for hypertension is granted. The appeal regarding entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for hypertension as secondary to PTSD. The Veteran's hypertension is being evaluated again, and a new opinion on the relationship between his hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea is also required.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted service connection, while left ear hearing loss does not meet VA disability criteria.,Service connection for lumbosacral strain and hypertension are denied as the evidence does not support an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted a 10 percent rating, diabetes mellitus type II remains at 20 percent, and nephrosclerosis/chronic kidney disease is granted a 100 percent rating effective April 12, 2019. Other claims are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a heart condition, GERD, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, insomnia, and bilateral hearing loss. The decision found no current diagnoses or in-service events that would support these claims.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of August 10, 2022, for service connection of chronic kidney disease is granted. The Board also remanded the cases for further development and examination to address issues related to hypertension and thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial disability rating for allergic rhinitis was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's service connection claim for hypertension is remanded due to insufficient rationale in the July 2022 VA opinion regarding whether he has current hypertension related to service.,The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of hypothermia, bilateral lower extremities (BLE hypothermia) is remanded due to insufficient rationale in the July 2022 VA examination report regarding whether his symptoms are related to service.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to insufficient rationale in the July 2022 VA examination report regarding all of his reported symptoms and their impact on daily life.,The Veteran's service connection claim for chest pain with palpitations is remanded due to insufficient rationale in the July 2022 VA opinion regarding whether his current condition is related to service.,The Veteran's service connection claim for left ankle condition is remanded due to insufficient rationale in the July 2022 VA examination report regarding all of his reported symptoms and their impact on daily life.,The Veteran's service connection claim for right ankle condition is remanded due to insufficient rationale in the July 2022 VA examination report regarding all of his reported symptoms and their impact on daily life.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for tension headaches is remanded due to insufficient rationale in the July 2022 VA examination report regarding all of his reported symptoms and their impact on daily life.

The Board denied service connection for TBI and blackouts, finding no current disability. Service connection for hypertension from August 10, 2022 due to herbicide exposure is granted under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at a 10 percent disability rating since August 10, 2022. The Board found that the evidence supports a finding of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more and continuous medication for control, which meets the criteria for a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code (DC) 7101.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at a 10 percent disability level, reflecting systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more. The rating does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation due to diastolic pressure being predominantly 110 or more.