Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sinusitis and hypertension due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Veteran's hypertension was rated under the appropriate diagnostic code, but his blood pressure readings did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The Board denied an initial compensable rating for hypertension.

The Veteran's bladder incontinence and fatigue were not incurred or caused by active service.,The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred or caused by active service and did not manifest within one year of service.

Service connection for hypertension is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service. Service connection for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy is remanded as the evidence does not establish early onset peripheral neuropathy or a direct causal link to herbicide agent exposure.

New and relevant evidence has been received for several previously denied service connection claims, including cervical spine condition, ED, left lower extremity tingling and numbness, left upper extremity tingling and numbness, right lower extremity tingling and numbness, right upper extremity tingling and numbness, lumbar spine condition, tension headaches, diabetes mellitus type II, hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension. These claims are being remanded for further review.

The Veteran withdrew all appeals regarding the increased ratings for left eye optic atrophy with chronic narrow angle glaucoma, hypertension, PTSD, and asbestosis.

The Veteran's earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus, type II, is denied as there was no intent to file or claim prior to December 10, 2018.,The Veteran's initial rating of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II, is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and ulcerative colitis due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between these conditions and in-service toxic exposure events. Additional development is needed, including confirmation of any such exposures and a VA examination to explore their etiology.

The Board has determined that the July 2007 rating decision, which denied a separate rating for service-connected residuals of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and hypertension on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE), was incorrect. The Board found that the regulations in place at the time were not correctly applied, resulting in an undebatable failure to assign a separate analogous rating for the disability. As a result, the July 2007 rating decision is revised, and the Veteran is now entitled to a separate 30 percent rating for residuals of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension due to the lack of a current diagnosis. Service connection for OSA is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding its relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the case to determine if an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for hypertension is warranted under a theory other than the PACT Act.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been withdrawn, and the Board has dismissed these issues due to withdrawal. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for hearing loss for VA purposes.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee strain and denied service connection for hypertension, OSA, cervical spine arthritis, left shoulder arthritis, and lumbar spine arthritis. The Veteran's right knee strain is found to be related to his in-service symptoms and post-service treatment. However, the Board determined that there was no nexus between the current diagnosis of hypertension and the elevated blood pressure readings during service.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension is denied as his blood pressure readings have not consistently met the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7101.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, lung cancer, and COPD with pulmonary hypertension have been dismissed as moot because these conditions are already service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for hypertension was dismissed because the appellant, through his authorized representative, requested to withdraw the appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease and hypertension are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents on Guam, as provided by the PACT Act.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits are granted with an effective date of May 31, 2017.,An earlier effective date for the TDIU is granted based on the fact that it was part of the increased rating claims for PTSD and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to duty-to-assist errors and new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims will be reconsidered with consideration of potential exposure at Fort Eustis and Johnston Atoll.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for hypertension and prostate cancer. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service noise exposure. Hypertension is not shown to be related to service or a year after separation. Prostate cancer is not currently diagnosed.