Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to unclear notice and denial reasons. The Board finds the PCAFC decision did not clearly state which criteria were unmet, leading to a need for clarification.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including low back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, GERD, allergic rhinitis, hypertension, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), skin cancer, and hiatal hernia, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to service.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service connected. The Board has ordered remand for further examination and opinions regarding the Veteran's upper extremity radiculopathy and SMC A&A.

The appeal regarding hypertension is dismissed, and the issue of an increased rating for left upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The lumbosacral strain claim is denied, and the hearing loss claim is also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hemiparesis of the right upper extremity and right lower extremity, unspecified depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy left lower extremity, tinnitus, and hypertension, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted SMC based on this need.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted as secondary to his service-connected major depression. The claims for hypertension and OSA are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board found that his blood pressure readings did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of death and potential secondary service connection for herbicide-related disorders. The Veteran's cause of death is being reviewed, along with any possible secondary effects from his nonservice-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable evaluation for hypertension is dismissed because the September 6, 2024 rating decision did not meet the requirements to confer jurisdiction.

The Veteran's claim for an initial 10 percent evaluation for hypertension is granted, as his systolic pressure has predominantly been at or above 160 throughout the relevant rating period.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and diabetes mellitus due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's service periods and inadequate VA medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions due to inadequate development and lack of proper nexus opinions. The Veteran was exposed to toxic substances during his military service, including TCE, benzene, butadiene, toluene, methyl ethyl ketone, gasoline, jet propellant, cadmium, fuels, cleaning solvents, degreasing agents, paint stripper, fumes, and exhaust.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for hypertension is being remanded due to an error in obtaining relevant non-VA treatment records.

The Veteran's hypertension was not found to meet the criteria for a compensable rating (greater than 0 percent) as his diastolic pressure has never been predominantly 100 or more, and systolic pressure has never been predominantly 160 or more. The Veteran takes continuous medication but does not have a history of these specific blood pressure readings.

The Veteran's hypertension, sinusitis, and rhinitis have been granted service connection. Tinnitus has also been granted from April 13, 2021. However, the claim for sarcoidosis due to environmental exposures is being remanded as there was a duty to assist error in failing to obtain an examination.

The Board has granted effective dates of May 7, 2021 for both TDIU and DEA benefits based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's non-VA emergency care for appendicitis was reimbursed as she had utilized VA healthcare in the previous 24 months, and her claim is granted.

The Veteran requested to withdraw their appeal for rating increases in multiple service-connected conditions, leading to the dismissal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for hypertension is being remanded due to an error in obtaining relevant non-VA treatment records.