Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an evaluation in excess of zero percent for hypertension, as the evidence did not support a finding that his blood pressure predominantly met the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, and hypertension as they require further development under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied because the evidence did not show a current disability. New evidence received since the denial, however, shows that he has a current diagnosis of hypertension.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a skin disability were reopened due to new evidence showing current diagnoses. The claim for tinnitus was also reopened as new evidence showed it began during service.

The Veteran's OSA and HT are granted service connection, while his DM is denied as secondary to OSA.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating for hypertension, effective from August 10, 2022.

The Board has remanded the case due to a procedural error in providing notice of the Veteran's right to a hearing. The AOJ is required to provide this notice and readjudicate the claim based on the current evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for hypertension due to a lack of consideration of whether the Veteran's obesity, which is linked to her service-connected low back strain, contributed to her hypertension. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further review.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal. The Board cannot issue a decision on the above-captioned claims at this time.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the VA examiner's opinions and a need for additional evidence regarding whether the Veteran's OSA is service-connected, secondary to her hypertension-related obesity, or aggravated by her hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than November 26, 2012 for service connection of tonsillitis with tonsillar hypertrophy was denied as the earliest possible effective date is November 26, 2012.,The Veteran's initial compensable rating claim for tonsillitis with tonsillar hypertrophy was also denied due to lack of current symptoms during the period on appeal.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected PTSD with somatic symptom disorder and/or hypertension, but requires further medical examination for a definitive opinion.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart disorder, kidney disease, nephropathy, right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy as there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae, Congestive Heart Failure with AICD, valvular heart disease, heart block, and cardiomyopathy, Hypertension, and Pulmonary Hypertension. The Veteran's conditions are presumed to be related to his service-connected asthma/restrictive airway disease.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it is not related to his period of active service and does not have a direct link to any service-connected conditions. The Board also found insufficient evidence supporting secondary service connection via obesity as an intermediate step.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was granted with an effective date of August 11, 2010. The claims for increased ratings for right foot tarsitis and right ankle tendonitis were denied. The claim for TDIU prior to November 4, 2011, is being remanded.,The Veteran's service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of August 11, 2010, which also raised a claim for TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to duty-to-assist errors, including a lack of VA examinations related to high blood pressure and GERD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of mononucleosis, hypertension, and a chronic disability manifested by tremors have been denied as there is no current evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during her military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD caused him to become obese, which led to obesity hypoventilation syndrome and OSA. Hypoxemia is proximately due to these conditions, while pulmonary hypertension is also proximately due to them.,Further examination is needed to clarify the Veteran's diagnoses for respiratory, sleep, and heart disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), post-operative residuals of left acromioclavicular separation, right radius fracture residuals, hypertension, asthma, and a scar from shoulder surgery, have combined to make him unable to work. The Board has granted his claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability.