Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2024

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of various conditions as they have already been granted in a previous rating decision.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for hypertension is denied, and the Board has remanded her claim of service connection for a thyroid disability, including hypothyroidism.

The Board denied a higher rating for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's blood pressure readings did not meet the criteria for a higher rating at any point during the appeal period.

The Board has determined that the discontinuance of SMC at the housebound rate was improper and has revised the effective date to October 1, 2022. The Veteran's entitlement to SMC benefits is now correct as of this date.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hypertension may be linked to service, but needs further clarification and evidence. The case is being sent back for a proper medical opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for hypertension due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset during service or its relationship to service.

The Board has determined that there are errors in the development process and remands the case for further action, including an examination to determine if hypertension is related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, but the issue of service connection for bilateral pes planus has been remanded due to a duty-to-assist error and the need for an adequate VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hypertension is granted due to the PACT Act. Claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected panic disorder without agoraphobia alone prevents him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and he is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective April 27, 2009. Additionally, the Veteran has additional service-connected disabilities independently rated at 60 percent or more, qualifying him for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's hypertension was evaluated as noncompensable since July 1994. The Board found that the Veteran's blood pressure readings did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7101, as they were predominantly below the threshold for a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and a compensable rating for his right ear hearing loss, heart condition, hypertension, and anemia are remanded due to incomplete evidence. The VA will obtain any outstanding treatment records and schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of these conditions.

Your appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board cannot issue a decision on your claims as they are no longer pending.

The Board has found that new and relevant evidence supports readjudicating the claims for diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, and heart disability. The AOJ must now adjudicate these claims based on this new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus, type II with hypertension and diabetic retinopathy was denied. The Board also granted a rating of 40 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II with hypertension, diabetic retinopathy, and erectile dysfunction from November 17, 2021.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypoglycemia, hypertension, flat feet, and an upper respiratory infection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records and opinions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The AOJ will obtain a new medical opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension and arteriosclerotic heart disease are service-connected, with the latter being secondary to the former.,The cause of death is attributed to bilateral pneumonia and congestive heart failure, which were related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at a 10 percent disability rating, which is the minimum compensable rating. The Board found that his diastolic pressure was predominantly over 100 and required continuous medication for control.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is rated at 100% effective from the date of his January 30, 2023 supplemental claim. The other service connection claims are remanded.