Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's hypertension claim is denied as there are no diastolic or systolic blood pressure readings meeting the criteria for a compensable rating.,No new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the bilateral hearing loss disability issue. The claim remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, right and left trigger finger disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy of multiple extremities due to a failure to obtain VA medical opinions addressing the Veteran's participation in toxic exposure risk activities (TERA) during his military service. The AOJ must provide these opinions on remand.

The Veteran's current kidney condition is caused or aggravated by his service-connected hypertension, and the Board has granted service connection for this secondary condition.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating as his blood pressure readings have not met the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for an initial compensable rating for hypertension and service connection for headaches and dizziness/lightheadedness, all secondary to his service-connected hypertension. The Board has determined that there were pre-decisional duty to assist errors in obtaining relevant private treatment records and developing the service connection claims.

The Veteran's hypertension has not been manifested by diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more. Therefore, the claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding service connection claims for hypertension, GERD, OSA, a respiratory/lung disorder, and RLS.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for congestive heart failure and hypertension are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors, including the need to obtain VA treatment records from 1975 to 2002 and a new search for herbicide exposure in Korea. A VA examination is also required.

The Veteran's hypertension has not manifested in diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more during the period on appeal. Therefore, a higher rating of 20 percent under DC 7101 is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, gastroenteritis, recurrent ulcers and chronic intermittent pyloric stenosis (claimed as pyloric stenosis/chronic ulcers), and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for various conditions have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for compensable ratings or service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for effective date prior to August 10, 2022, and initial compensable rating for hypertension (HTN) is dismissed due to his death.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for hypertension due to inadequate medical opinions in the rating decision. The Veteran's entrance examination showed a 148/70 blood pressure reading, which is considered hypertension.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, and a separate rating of 30 percent for headaches associated with his service-connected hypertension has been granted. The Board also found that the Veteran's dizziness and heart disability are secondary to his hypertension.,Service connection for dizziness and heart disability as secondary to service-connected hypertension is remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, but no higher. The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for headaches as secondary to his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's hypertension and lung cancer are found to be related to in-service exposure to chemicals, thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC claims are dismissed as moot because he has already been granted SMC based on additional service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more.

The Board has remanded the claims for duodenal ulcer/duodenitis, esophagitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a respiratory disability including emphysema, allergic rhinitis, and hypertension due to potential service connection based on exposure to fuel products during active military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cardiac disability, diabetes, and hypertension due to errors in the duty to assist. The claims will be reviewed with additional development considering toxic exposure risk activities.