Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for atrial fibrillation, joint aches, hypertension, and gastrointestinal disability (GERD) due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The issues are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated as noncompensable because his diastolic pressure has not been predominantly 100 or more, and systolic pressure has not been predominantly 160 or more.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses for hernia, testicular disorder (epididymitis), hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or chronic kidney disease. The issues of service connection for these conditions are being remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further development.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder, hypertension, headaches, and acquired mental disorder are all found to be related to service.,Special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including persistent depressive disorder, DDD of the lumbar spine, hypertension, left hand carpal tunnel syndrome, residuals of right hand carpal tunnel release, left knee chondromalacia patella and meniscal tear with shin splints, and right knee chondromalacia patella with shin splints, have rendered her unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment. As a result, the Board has granted TDIU.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an increased rating for hypertension and denied a request for an earlier effective date for the grant of a 100 percent disability rating for coronary artery disease. The TDIU claim was also denied as there was no inferred or formal claim prior to November 22, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding a link between the condition and the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his Vietnam service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board denied his request for a TDIU due to his service-connected conditions and psychiatric symptoms preventing him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, leading to a grant of SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's right hip disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease, is granted on a secondary basis to his service-connected right patellar tendon disability. Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension are denied.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for tinnitus, GERD, hypertension, left hand condition, right hand condition, left hip condition, right hip condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, neck disability, and right ankle condition. The new evidence received since the last denial is relevant to an in-service event that the Veteran believes caused his disabilities and a nexus between service and the disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion and the need for a PACT Act-compliant examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, migraine headaches, a sleep disorder, a gastrointestinal disorder, hypertension, and fibromyalgia due to the Veteran's death. The VA is directed to obtain medical opinions based on review of the record.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for hypertension, a left knee disorder, a lumbar spine disorder, and headaches. The appeals are now remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's service treatment records and his lay statements regarding hypertension during service, as well as the 2018 NAS update on herbicide exposure and hypertension. The claim will be readjudicated after obtaining an addendum opinion.

Service connection for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and monoclonal gammopathy was granted effective August 10, 2022.,The PACT Act of 2022 (Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act) went into effect on this date, granting the claims based on its provisions.,No compensable ratings were granted for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism disability is rated at 0 percent, and the Board finds duty to assist errors occurred prior to the October 2023 rating decision. The issue of a compensable evaluation for service-connected hypothyroidism must be remanded.,The Veteran's entitlement to a 10 percent evaluation based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities is also remanded due to duty to assist errors.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II due to a lack of contemporaneous medical examinations and updated treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient information and evidence, including a need for VA examinations and opinions regarding exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including VA examinations and medical opinions regarding his service-connected conditions and any potential links to his current disabilities.