Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded several service connection claims for further development, including those for pes planus, left wrist cyst disability, gastrointestinal disability (separate from chronic constipation), cardiovascular disability, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), fatigue disability, headache disability, left knee disability, back disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and right wrist disability. The gastrointestinal claim was expanded to include any gastrointestinal disability separate from the already service-connected chronic constipation.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and right knee strain (claimed as arthritis). The Board dismisses these issues.

The Veteran's appeal for a five-inch scar on his abdomen associated with lipoma was dismissed. A 10 percent rating is granted for PTSD, HTN, and migraines during the specified periods.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension as there was no current disability and the Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his active service and the condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their onset or relationship to service. The VA is required to provide a new examination that addresses all pertinent evidence of record.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The claims for a skin disability, insomnia, and hypertension are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition. The Veteran's headaches have been rated at 50% since November 16, 2020.,The Veteran's right and left upper extremity nerves disabilities were remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable initial disability rating for hypertension and has remanded the issue of an increased rating for myofascial pain syndrome. The decision is binding only with respect to the specific issues decided.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal through their authorized representative.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension have been dismissed as the appeal has been withdrawn by his authorized representative.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, diabetic retinopathy, and hypertension due to herbicide agent exposure in Guam have been granted. The effective date is not specified as it pertains to a presumption under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria, and no extraschedular rating was granted. The Board found that the evidence did not establish he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence showing a compensable degree of disability. The Board also found that the Veteran's current diagnosis of hypertension is less likely related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for obesity, diabetes mellitus (DM), and hypertension (HTN) due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The Veteran's DM and HTN are not considered as directly caused or aggravated by her service-connected headaches or back disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for high blood pressure/hypertension due to conflicting opinions and need for additional medical examination.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including OSA, dry skin, hypertension, neck disability, right and left upper extremity nerve damage, right long finger disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, erectile dysfunction, right knee disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, right foot plantar fasciitis, and left foot plantar fasciitis. The Board found no evidence of current diagnoses or treatment for these conditions.

The Board has determined that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error and the claim of service connection for sleep apnea is remanded. The Veteran's sleep apnea may be secondary to his service-connected hypertension, major depressive disorder, anxiety, and PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for additional months of service-connected compensation for various conditions have been denied. The effective dates and payment start dates are legally correct.

The Veteran's hypertension and bilateral non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy have not met the criteria for increased ratings. The earlier effective dates for service connection, rating assignments, and SMC are denied.,The Board has remanded the claim of an appropriate evaluation for CAD with history of coronary artery bypass graft.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hypertension due to incomplete medical opinions provided by VA examiners.