Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2024

The Board denied increased ratings for left shoulder DJD with rotator cuff strain, LOM, DM, and HTN. The Veteran's conditions were found to not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and clarification of evidence related to his hypertension, hypertensive retinopathy, gastrointestinal disorder, foot disabilities, shoulder disabilities, and knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that there have been substantial compliance issues with the previous remand directives and thus, the claims are being returned to the RO for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents under the PACT Act. The issues of sleep apnea and PTSD are remanded as they require further development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims regarding hypertension, right knee arthritis, and left knee arthritis due to incomplete records and an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical records and undergo a new VA examination for his knee disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension is granted an initial rating of 10 percent. The Board has remanded the remaining issues for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy and an increased rating for hypertension due to a lack of consideration of certain evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for hypertension associated with herbicide exposure as there is no evidence of diastolic pressure readings predominantly 100 or more, systolic pressures predominantly 160 or more, or a history of diastolic pressure readings predominantly 100 or more requiring continuous medication.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received for the Veteran's claims of sinus bradycardia and sick sinus syndrome, hypertension, and kidney cancer. The case is being remanded to provide a VA examination and obtain medical opinions regarding these conditions.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy and an increased rating for hypertension due to a lack of consideration of certain evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a back disability was dismissed as untimely, and his hypertension claim resulted in an initial evaluation of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for migraine headaches and an earlier effective date was denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, which he argued was due to exposure to herbicides, was dismissed as there was no case or controversy.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of June 16, 2022, for the grant of a 10 percent rating for service-connected hypertension. The evidence showed a factually ascertainable increase in the Veteran's hypertension within one year prior to the July 28, 2022, increased rating claim.

The Board has remanded the service connection claim for diabetic nephropathy as secondary to hypertension due to inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran's current hearing testimony will be considered, and the matter will be deferred until the hypertension issue is adjudicated.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection in all cases.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, back disability, hypertension (claimed as high blood pressure), and right ear drum disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's basal cell carcinoma, hypertension, and sleep disorder (including insomnia) are related to his service. However, due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of these conditions, the case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but has remanded the issues of service connection for ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy due to incomplete service records and lack of verification of herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to exposure to noise during active duty.,Bilateral hearing loss and hypertension are denied as there is no current disability meeting VA criteria for these conditions.