Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2024

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, erectile dysfunction, diabetic nephropathy, and hypertension due to exposure to herbicide agents. The evidence does not support a finding of herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's hypertension did not meet the criteria for a 10% rating under Diagnostic Code 7101, as his diastolic pressure was never predominantly 100 or more and he did not require continuous medication. Therefore, the claim for a compensable evaluation is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, requiring additional VA medical opinions on whether the Veteran's current hypertension, sleep apnea, and prostate disability are secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's lung cancer and hypertension have been granted evaluations. However, the appeal is mixed as some issues are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension due to inadequate medical opinions regarding causation and aggravation. The Veteran's PTSD is claimed as a potential cause or exacerbator of his sleep apnea and hypertension.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied. The Veteran's hypertension was granted a compensable rating of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type 2, and throat cancer due to new legislation that created a presumption of toxic exposure for covered veterans. The Veteran's military records show he served in Southwest Asia from December 1990 to May 1991.

The Veteran's hypertension and nose surgery status post nose fracture are both denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of June 16, 2022, for service-connected hypertension is granted. The Veteran also receives a compensable rating (10%) for his service-connected hypertension since June 16, 2022.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error in obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. The AOJ needs to obtain a new VA medical opinion addressing causation and aggravation of the Veteran's erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected disabilities is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a duty-to-assist error related to herbicide exposure verification. The AOJ must obtain an updated Herbicide Exposure Verification Memorandum with signatures from both an employee conducting the search and a records research specialist.

The Board has found that the appellant does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, including for heart conditions, acquired psychiatric disorders (anxiety and depression), hypertension, cervical spine condition, bilateral shoulder conditions, elbow conditions, wrist conditions, hip conditions, knee conditions, ankle conditions, or foot conditions. The claims are being remanded to obtain appropriate medical examinations and opinions.,The Board has found that the appellant does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, including for heart conditions, acquired psychiatric disorders (anxiety and depression), hypertension, cervical spine condition, bilateral shoulder conditions, elbow conditions, wrist conditions, hip conditions, knee conditions, ankle conditions, or foot conditions. The claims are being remanded to obtain appropriate medical examinations and opinions.

The appeal regarding a duty to assist error in the initial noncompensable disability rating for hypertension is dismissed. The Veteran disagreed with the identification of an error, but this finding was not considered an adverse action and thus not appealable.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to coronary artery disease due to herbicide exposure under the PACT Act, with an effective date of August 10, 2022.

The Veteran's lung cancer and hypertension are rated, but the evaluation for lung cancer prior to July 18, 2019 is remanded. Service connection for secondary conditions related to lung cancer is also remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as due to herbicide exposure under the PACT Act. The direct service connection claim for hypertension remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted in a November 2023 rating decision, effective May 11, 2022. The appeal for this issue is dismissed as the award has already been made.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding hypertension and chronic kidney disease, leading to their dismissal.

The Veteran's hypertension, which required continuous medication for control, was rated at a minimum of 10 percent throughout the appeal period.