Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's initial claim for hypertension and hypertensive chronic kidney disease was denied, but service connection was granted with noncompensable evaluations.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent, but no higher. The Board found that the evidence did not show a predominant diastolic pressure of 100 or more, which would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence indicating potential exposure during service. The claims are being reviewed in light of the PACT Act, which requires VA to obtain a medical opinion regarding the relationship between current disabilities and presumed toxic exposures.

The Veteran's service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD is granted. The claims for hypertension and lumbar spine disability are remanded.

The Veteran's headaches are granted as secondary to her service-connected multiple sclerosis.,Her depression appeal is dismissed due to it being a symptom of her already service-connected neurocognitive disorder.,Tinnitus was denied as there is no current diagnosis and the Veteran did not report any during active duty.,Bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of qualifying hearing loss for VA purposes.,High blood pressure, spinal fluid leak, left wrist pain, right wrist pain, back pain, and neck pain were all denied due to lack of a nexus to service.,Left shoulder pain and right shoulder pain were also denied without a clear link to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hernia surgery abdomen scar, residuals of hernia repair surgery (other than scar), hypertension, bilateral hearing loss disability, nerve disability of the lower extremities (to include numbness), chronic headache disability, and gastrointestinal disability to include a functional gastrointestinal disorder are all granted. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 30 percent for migraine headaches was denied as the evidence did not show very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for hypertension was denied as the evidence did not show diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the rating increase to 100 percent for PTSD is denied due to a lack of evidence demonstrating total occupational and social impairment during the year prior to September 24, 2020.,The claims for service connection for hypertension, OSA, erectile dysfunction, and tinnitus are remanded as insufficient development was performed.

The Veteran's claims for eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing (SAH) and a special home adaptation grant were remanded due to the AOJ overlooking favorable legal determinations that greatly expanded his service-connected disability picture.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension was denied a higher rating as his blood pressure readings did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 60% for chronic kidney disease/diabetic nephropathy with hypertension, 20% for diabetes mellitus, type II, and 10% each for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and radiculopathy of the lower extremities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and remanded the claim for secondary service connection for ventricular arrhythmia to include as secondary to PTSD. The hypertension claim was denied due to a lack of current diagnosis, while the ventricular arrhythmia claim is remanded for an adequate opinion on whether it is related to PTSD.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of proper form submission, as the RO had not yet made a final decision.

The Board denied service connection for portal hypertension as it was not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during service. The claim is based on direct evidence and no presumptive exposure basis applies.

The Board has remanded the cases of hypertension, lumbar spine disability, and headaches for further examination and opinion to address the sufficiency of the evidence regarding service connection.

The Veteran has withdrawn all appeals related to the issues of service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, type II, gout, hypertension, nephrolithiasis and stage IV kidney failure, left knee replacement and pain disability, right knee pain disability, left upper extremity radiculopathy (hand numbness), left lower extremity neuropathy and radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy (hand numbness), right lower extremity neuropathy and radiculopathy, lumbar back pain and degenerative joint disease (DJD), and atrial fibrillation and coronary calcifications, status-post ablation.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis C, hypertension, lower back disability, skeletal arthritis, skin disability, bilateral eye disability, and bilateral sinus disability have all been denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a current disability or a link to service.,Service connection was not granted because the Veteran did not meet the criteria for direct service connection due to lack of in-service diagnosis or continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure. The issue of service connection for sleep apnea remains remanded as there were insufficient medical opinions provided.

The appeals for service connection of various disabilities have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his appeal. The issue of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy, finding that the Veteran's obesity, caused by his service-connected lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, is a substantial factor in causing these conditions. Service connection for a cardiac disability separate from hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy was denied due to lack of current diagnosis.