Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's hypertension is granted on a presumptive basis under the PACT Act, while service connection for bowel disturbance with proctitis and prostate cancer residuals is granted as secondary to existing disabilities.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and is remanded. The claims for hypertension, migraine headaches, drug and alcohol abuse disorder, sinusitis, and head injury/TBI are also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for updated VA medical records, new examinations, and additional development regarding his reported stressors. The PACT Act requires a VA examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's disabilities and in-service toxic exposures.

The Veteran's hypertension and tinnitus were granted initial ratings, while the overactive bladder condition was granted a maximum schedular rating. Service connection for stomach condition, carpal tunnel syndrome, back condition, high cholesterol, low vitamin D, and left knee condition were denied.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service. The decision is based on a presumption of exposure due to service in Korea.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hyperlipidemia is dismissed. The claims for service connection for a right knee disability, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (MDD, alcohol abuse, PTSD) are denied.

The Veteran's depression and anxiety are granted on a secondary basis, while tinnitus is granted. High cholesterol, left leg disability (apart from service-connected left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy), right leg disability (apart from service-connected right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy), coronary artery disease (CAD), erectile dysfunction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hypertension, and thyroid disability are all denied. The Veteran's sleep apnea, headaches, and TDIU claims are remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's headache condition, hypertension, and GERD are each remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's service connection claims for a headache condition, hypertension, and GERD are remanded due to the inextricability of these issues with his acquired psychiatric disorder claim.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is remanded for an examination to determine its etiology.,The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's hypertension has been granted service connection, but the assigned noncompensable rating is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess current severity.

The Veteran's asthma, hypertension, neck disability, back disability, and laparoscopic residuals claims are remanded for additional development. The Board finds the evidence meets the McLendon criteria to obtain VA examinations for her hypertension, neck disability, back disability, and laparoscopic residuals.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and remanded other claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing adequate opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for costochondritis, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), and service connection for hypertension are remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service-connected disabilities, including medications prescribed for those conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 2, 2016. From April 2, 2016 to June 27, 2016, the Veteran was in receipt of a total disability rating (TDIU) and Special Monthly Compensation (SMC). The appeal for TDIU is now moot as he is already receiving SMC.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of various conditions due to new evidence being added to the record after the January 2020 SOC. The Veteran is asked to waive AOJ review of this additional evidence.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for migraines and GERD, as well as service connection for hypertension, are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions. The issue of entitlement to total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU) has also been raised by the record.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to service or secondary to his service-connected disabilities. Additional VA and private records are needed, and a new examination with an opinion is required.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for hypertension and found service connection for bilateral hypertensive retinopathy secondary to the service-connected hypertension. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's hypertension is not rated as compensable because his diastolic pressure has never been predominantly 100 or more, and he does not have a history of such.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions and incomplete development of service records, particularly regarding the Veteran's exposure during active duty.