Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer and a compensable disability rating for hypertension were denied because the new evidence submitted did not meet the threshold for readjudication, as it was not relevant to the issues at hand.

The Veteran's TDIU is granted effective October 25, 2016, as he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's hypertension symptoms required medication and more nearly approximated diastolic pressure readings of predominantly 100 or more and systolic pressure readings of predominantly 160 or more. However, the Veteran's hypertension symptoms have not more nearly approximated predominant diastolic blood pressure of 110 or more or a predominant systolic blood pressure of 200 or more at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer and a compensable disability rating for hypertension were denied because the new evidence submitted did not meet the threshold for readjudication, as it was not relevant to the issues at hand.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, right knee disability, left knee disability, and psychiatric disability (including depression and PTSD) due to a duty-to-assist error regarding private treatment records. The Veteran is requested to provide authorization for VA to obtain these records.

The Veteran's claim for beneficiary travel expenses associated with a non-VA medical appointment on October 28, 2022 was granted because the evidence showed he had attended his appointment and met the basic eligibility criteria for VA beneficiary travel benefits.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetic nephropathy and hypertension, as well as the claim for TDIU due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ is directed to obtain any outstanding private medical records related to these conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension was evaluated as noncompensable due to lack of a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more, or a history of diastolic pressure predominately 100 or more and requiring continuous medication for control.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension as there is no current diagnosis of high blood pressure/hypertension and insufficient evidence to establish an in-service event.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and bilateral hearing loss, both related to exposure to herbicide agents during service. Service connection for diabetic nephropathy is denied as there is no current diagnosis.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to increased evaluations for service-connected hypertension and diabetes mellitus, as well as earlier effective dates for these ratings and for the award of service connection for chronic renal disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability and hypertension due to incomplete records and inadequate examination.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension, and the case is remanded to assess whether headaches, dizziness, and sleep apnea are secondary to service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was granted with an effective date of November 30, 2021. The Board also determined that the Veteran met the schedular criteria for a TDIU prior to August 31, 2016.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of hypertension and a heart condition due to insufficient evidence in previous opinions. The Veteran's service records indicate exposure to petroleum products, including jet fuel, which may be relevant to his conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection as it is presumed to have been incurred in service. The claim for secondary service connection for bilateral vision loss related to Parkinson's disease is being remanded due to insufficient opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied. The claims of increased ratings for right knee strain, service connection for back condition, left ankle condition, and right ankle condition are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their passing away during the pendency of this appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee disability, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension due to the submission of new evidence that supports a link between these conditions and the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for leg disorder, hypertension, gastritis, and diabetes due to inadequate medical opinions.