Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examination opinions and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's back disability is being evaluated again, and his hypertension may be related to his adjustment disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show a current disability. The claim for a compensable rating for hemorrhoids was also denied due to lack of recent treatment and no evidence of large or thrombotic, irreducible hemorrhoids.,The claims for hypertension and sleep disorder were remanded as there is insufficient information on their relationship with service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension was not found to meet the criteria for a compensable rating under DC 7101, as her blood pressure readings did not consistently show diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more, or she required continuous medication for control.

The Board has denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, obstructive sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus type II, right toe disability, right shoulder strain, and hypertension. The Veteran's right toe disability was granted service connection.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of GERD, hypertension, and sleep apnea due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, pulmonary fibrosis, hypertension, bilateral shoulder and knee disabilities, and post-operative right ankle fracture as the evidence did not support a link to active service.

The Board denied a higher rating for service-connected hypertension, finding that the Veteran's blood pressure readings did not meet the criteria for an increased rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and a compensable rating for hypertension was denied. The Board found that there is no basis to award an effective date prior to June 10, 2009, the date service connection was granted. For the rating issue, the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7101.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension due to inappropriately considering evidence submitted after the June 2022 AOJ decision. The Veteran's claim is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding whether his sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected back disability, including as a result of obesity caused by that condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions (chronic renal insufficiency, diabetes mellitus with hypertension, and residuals of prostate cancer) contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since August 26, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected CKD with hypertension and polymyositis have been granted, but the disability ratings are still at their minimum (0%). The Board is remanding to schedule VA examinations for these conditions.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for OSA is denied as he does not use a breathing assistance device such as a CPAP machine. The claims of service connection for hypertension and headaches are remanded due to the need for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, ischemic heart disease, and peripheral neuropathy, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as of November 13, 2018. The Board granted TDIU from that date.

The Veteran's hypertension did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as it was predominantly below the thresholds of diastolic pressure at or above 110 and systolic pressure at or above 200. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there is no current diagnosis of hypertension based on blood pressure readings. The Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since August 26, 2019.

The Veteran's hypertension was not manifested by diastolic pressure predominantly in excess of 100 or more, systolic pressure predominantly in excess of 160, or diastolic pressure predominantly in excess of 100. Therefore, an initial compensable disability rating for hypertension is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, a left arm tremor, tick bites on the lower legs, asthma, hypertension, and sleep apnea have been denied. The Board has found that there is no evidence of current diagnoses or in-service incurrence of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of chronic high blood pressure in service or within a year of discharge. The Veteran's lay statements were considered but not determinative due to lack of medical training.