Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II and coronary artery disease, thus granting secondary service connection for hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction. The claims are based on direct evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's kidney disorder, diagnosed as end-stage renal disease, is related to his in-service exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. His coronary artery disease and hypertension are also linked to this kidney disorder.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for hypertension and remanded the issues of service connection for gout, right ankle condition, and skin cancer due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause an impairment in his ability to obtain, maintain, or retain suitable employment. The Board found that the Veteran did not have an employment handicap and was therefore not entitled to VR&E services.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to service or within the applicable presumptive period.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension. The cases of left hip condition and right hip condition are remanded due to inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the submission of new evidence.,The effective date for service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy will be set at May 18, 2021, as this was when objective evidence first indicated the condition.,Service connection for hypertension cannot be established as there is no in-service disease or injury linked to the condition and it did not manifest within one year of separation from service.,A rating in excess of 40 percent for gout prior to February 22, 2021, is denied. From that date onwards, a 40 percent disability rating is granted.,Service connection for depressive disorder cannot be established as there is no evidence of an in-service disease or injury linked to the condition.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for hypertension was dismissed because the request for a Higher-Level Review of the October 2021 rating decision remained pending when he filed his Board appeal.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for hypertension from August 10, 2022 is denied as his blood pressure readings have not been predominantly at levels that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has found that the Veteran's hallux valgus and tinea pedis were not incurred in service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during his active duty. The Board also found that the Veteran's hypertension and diastolic heart failure with preserved ejections fraction and atrial fibrillation may be related to service based on VA treatment records indicating Grade II diastolic dysfunction.,The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for the Veteran to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his heart condition, including hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed without prejudice due to her death, and there is no properly substituted appellant on her behalf.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board cannot issue a decision on the underlying claim(s) at this time.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for hypertension due to potential exposure to burn pits during service. The Veteran's lay statements and service treatment records are considered in making this determination.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, sinusitis, and GERD due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims will be reconsidered on their merits.

The Board has remanded the case due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors and the need for new medical opinions regarding service connection for hypertension, including on a secondary basis due to sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease and hypertension have been granted with effective dates of March 10, 2021. The claim for service connection for hypothyroidism has also been granted but the effective date is contingent on the record reflecting it was due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for the claims of entitlement to service connection for joint osteoarthritis, left knee; hypertension; obstructive sleep apnea; and hypothyroidism, secondary to service-connected squamous cell carcinoma has been withdrawn by the Veteran's attorney.

Service connection is granted for migraines, transient ischemic attack (stroke), hypertension, and coronary artery disease all secondary to service-connected laryngeal cancer residuals with carotid artery stenosis.,The VA examiners provided opinions supporting the Veteran's claims of secondary service connection.