Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and left wrist disability due to incomplete VA examinations, failure to address pre-treatment blood pressure readings, and concerns about functional loss. The private treatment records need to be obtained.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at a 10 percent disability rating, effective from August 2022.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at a 10 percent rating, effective March 1, 2022. The decision grants the claim for this condition.

Service connection is granted for neck condition, right shoulder condition, headaches secondary to service-connected neck condition, and hypertension secondary to service-connected neck condition. Service connection for rapid heartbeat and left hip sciatic nerve condition secondary to service-connected neck condition is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and hypertension as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of hypertension is denied as there was no unadjudicated formal or informal claim prior to December 18, 2022.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar paraspinal tendonitis, finding that her hypertension is proximately due or the result of this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, sinusitis, and bilateral flatfoot due to incomplete military service records.,For the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and erectile dysfunction, the Veteran's contentions are not supported by the evidence.

The Veteran's hypertension and right knee disability have been remanded for further examination and opinion. The initial compensable rating claim for hypertension was denied, while the service connection claim for right knee disability is pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was dismissed because the issue had previously been denied and no new evidence or a proper form to reopen the claim was submitted within one year of the previous denial.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and a recurrent lumbar spine disability due to exposure to Persian Gulf War environmental hazards including burn pits. The VA is instructed to obtain all relevant service records and private treatment records.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection of sleep apnea, hypertension, left arm disability, bilateral hip disabilities, and a compensable rating for tinea pedis. The evidence does not support current diagnoses or functional impairment related to these conditions.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 29, 1995 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's earlier claim for pension benefits included a mention of these conditions and was considered to be an informal claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error in failing to obtain private treatment records from Blessing Hospital and Blessing Physician Services Behavioral Health. The issues include right hand neuropathy, borderline personality disorder, IBS with GERD, right shoulder osteoarthritis, hypertension, and TDIU.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals and hypertension have been granted initial ratings of 60 percent and 10 percent, respectively. The prostate cancer residuals are rated based on voiding dysfunction, while the hypertension is rated based on diastolic pressure predominantly over 100 with continuous medication required.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in fulfilling its duty to assist, including not considering certain evidence submitted by the Veteran and related TERA memoranda. The case is now being reviewed for potential service connection.

The Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus were received within one year of the PACT Act's effective date (August 10, 2022), allowing an effective date of August 10, 2022.,The grants of service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, right lower extremity, and erectile dysfunction were granted on a secondary basis to diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer, respectively. As such, they have an effective date of August 10, 2022.

The Veteran is entitled to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities.,However, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for SMC by reason of being housebound as he does not have a single disability rated 100% disabling with other service-connected independently ratable at 60%, or be permanently housebound by reason of service-connected disability or disabilities.

The Board has found that new and relevant evidence has been received since the September 2022 rating decision, warranting readjudication of the service connection claim for hypertension.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether hypertension is secondary to service-connected low back disability. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with an addendum opinion.