Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for posttraumatic headache has been denied as there is no evidence to suggest he filed another claim prior to March 7, 2022. The effective date for the grant of service connection for posttraumatic headaches is set at March 7, 2022.

The Veteran's hypertension did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating during the period prior to December 9, 2021. The Board found that the Veteran's blood pressure readings were below the threshold required for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7101.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The service connection claim for a back disability as secondary to his bilateral knee disabilities is also remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension disability, which has been rated as noncompensable since March 2022, is denied because the evidence does not show diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more or systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition, GERD, and hypertension are being remanded for further examination to determine their etiology and whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for hypertension prior to March 8, 2022 is remanded due to the AOJ not substantially complying with the Board's previous remand directives regarding blood pressure readings.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for hypertension due to a lack of consideration of all evidence, including in-service blood pressure readings and prescriptions for hypertension medication.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for hypertension due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's blood pressure readings do not meet the regulatory definition of hypertension or isolated systolic hypertension.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 10 percent for hypertension from May 6, 2022. The Veteran's history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more and the need for continuous medication for control qualifies him for this rating.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a 10 percent rating for hypertension is denied as there is no legal basis for such.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and remanded the claim of service connection for a right ankle disability, to include right ankle dorsiflexion. The Veteran's current right ankle disability is not related to active service.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not establish an in-service injury or disease related to the right shoulder. The Veteran's current diagnosis of right shoulder strain was noted at a VA examination.,For the secondary service connection claim for hypertension, the Board found the July 2023 medical opinion inadequate and remanded to provide an adequate medical opinion addressing whether the psychiatric disorder aggravated the hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, diabetes mellitus II, left shoulder disability, and right shoulder disability have been denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for allergic rhinitis/sinusitis has been denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claims for hypertension and sleep apnea have been denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a current disability.

The appeal for service connection for basal cell skin cancer, hypertension, malignant melanoma, and residuals of cholecystectomy and partial colon resection for diverticular bleed has been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Veteran was awarded service connection for high blood pressure and aphonia with hemorrhagic stroke as of August 10, 2022. The effective date for these awards is now set to December 5, 2016.,An earlier effective date of December 5, 2016, but no earlier, was granted for the award of service connection for high blood pressure and aphonia with hemorrhagic stroke.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for hypertension has been denied as his blood pressure readings have not consistently met the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7101.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, low back disorder, allergic rhinitis, and chronic bronchitis have all been denied.,There is no evidence of a current disability in any of these conditions. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection as there was no showing of a disease or injury during service, continuous symptoms since service, or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating is denied. The claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are remanded due to the PACT Act presumption.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to service connection for various conditions, with some issues being remanded and others having their decisions left pending further development.,No effective date earlier than May 25, 2021 was granted for the adjustment disorder with anxiety.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for hypertension and neck scar were denied. The claim of service connection for arthritis was remanded.