Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension. The claims are being returned for further review and an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at a non-compensable level, but the Board has determined that it warrants a 10 percent rating due to systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral shoulder disorder, hypertension, and GERD due to unclear evidence regarding the nature of his diagnoses and their relationship to service. The AOJ is required to obtain new VA examinations to clarify these issues.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board denied an initial compensable rating because his diastolic blood pressure was not predominantly 100 or more, nor was his systolic blood pressure predominantly 160 or more.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as a result of the PACT Act. However, his claim for service connection for hypertension due to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II (DM) remains pending and requires further examination.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, arrhythmia, hypertension, diabetes, skin rash, sleep apnea, TBI, vertigo, and erectile dysfunction were denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a current disability or a link to service.,Specifically, the Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of PTSD under DSM-5 criteria at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claim. The Veteran's arrhythmia and hypertension are conceded but do not meet the nexus requirement as there is no persuasive evidence they began in service.,The Veteran's diabetes was not shown as chronic in service, manifested to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, or etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease. The Veteran's skin rash and sleep apnea were also denied due to lack of persuasive evidence.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, arrhythmia, hypertension, diabetes, skin rash, sleep apnea, TBI, vertigo, and erectile dysfunction were denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a current disability or a link to service.,Specifically, the Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of PTSD under DSM-5 criteria at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claim. The Veteran's arrhythmia and hypertension are conceded but do not meet the nexus requirement as there is no persuasive evidence they began in service.,The Veteran's diabetes was not shown as chronic in service, manifested to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, or etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease. The Veteran's skin rash and sleep apnea were also denied due to lack of persuasive evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a right foot disability, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and right nephrectomy due to transitional cell carcinoma. The Veteran's conditions are not related to his active duty or training periods.,The VA examiners found no evidence of the onset of these conditions during the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of the appellant's claimed bilateral lower extremity venous insufficiency stasis dermatitis, hypertension, and diabetes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's kidney cancer and hypertension are related to service, but additional development is needed to address whether these conditions were caused or aggravated by toxic exposures during his service in Southwest Asia.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for hypertension due to new evidence obtained after the November 28, 2005 rating decision.

The Board denied an increased rating for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's blood pressure readings did not consistently meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and hypertension have been granted service connection, with the sleep apnea being granted on a direct basis. The Veteran is also assigned an initial rating of 10 percent for his hypertension.

The Board has decided to remand all the claims related to migraine headaches and its secondary conditions due to inadequate medical records prior to service and a need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error regarding service connection for cause of death. The Veteran's cause of death was coronary artery disease, with hypertension as a leading cause. VA needs to obtain a medical opinion assessing whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's principal or any contributory causes of death were incurred in active service.

The Board has granted secondary service connection for the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, finding that it is worsened by his service-connected stage III chronic renal disease with hypertension.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for congestive heart failure and high blood pressure due to potential exposure to burn pits during the Veteran's deployment in Kuwait. A TERA opinion is required to consider all toxic exposures.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, prostate cancer, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy as they have been granted in a previous decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal for service connection for high blood pressure and low back condition must be remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service dates are not verified, which prevents a determination on his claims for service connection. The case is being remanded to verify these dates.