Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension and partial diaphragm paralysis are being remanded due to pre-decisional errors in obtaining his private treatment records.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for hypertension, left ankle degenerative arthritis, and right ankle degenerative arthritis were denied. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's diastolic blood pressure was not predominantly 100 or more and his systolic blood pressure was not predominantly 160 or more during the appeal period. The Veteran did not have a history of diastolic blood pressure of predominately 100 or more requiring continuous medication for control.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for hypertension is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error in failing to obtain relevant treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The tinnitus, hypertension, and vertigo conditions are rated at the maximum allowable levels. The insomnia disorder and depressive disorder with anxious distress warrant a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, kidney disease, and diabetes type 2 have been granted. However, the claims for kidney disease and diabetes type 2 were denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure or a relationship to service.

The Board has denied service connection for a left hip condition, obstructive sleep apnea, fatigue (other than obstructive sleep apnea), and hypertension. Service connection is granted only for obstructive sleep apnea on the basis that it is proximately due to or the result of service-connected low back disorder and radiculopathy.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for hypertension on a direct basis as moot due to the grant of service connection under the PACT Act, which granted presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were remanded due to the need for additional development. The effective dates for TDIU and DEA remain at December 13, 2019.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and obstructive sleep apnea are being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error in the prior decision. The Board requires an examination to determine if his bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome caused or aggravated his weight gain, which is believed to have contributed to his development of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for her service-connected hypertensive vascular disease (hypertension), finding that her hypertension did not meet the criteria for a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7101.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability necessitates his need for regular aid and assistance of another individual to assist in bathing, preparing meals, tending to hygiene needs, and managing medication. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to this condition.

The Veteran's Raynaud's syndrome is related to herbicide exposure during active-duty service.,There is no persuasive evidence that the Veteran's left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,Similarly, there is no persuasive evidence that the Veteran's right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,There is also no persuasive evidence that the Veteran's left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,Similarly, there is no persuasive evidence that the Veteran's right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran has a current diagnosis of hypertension and it is now presumed associated with presumed exposure to herbicide agents under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted for the period prior to March 4, 2021. The reduction in rating from 20 percent to zero percent for right knee instability was improper and restored. Higher ratings are granted for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic and femoral nerves). An effective date of February 17, 2018, is granted for the grant of service connection for right ankle disability.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected Diabetes Mellitus type II, with Hypertension, Erectile Dysfunction and Bilateral Eye Diabetic Retinopathy. The decision is based on two private opinions that support a causal relationship between the service-connected conditions and the development of OSA.

Entitlement to service connection for migraines, hypertension, and pseudofolliculitis barbae is dismissed as these conditions were granted in new claims filed after the initial denial.,Entitlement to service connection for tinnitus was previously denied in December 2018 and has not been appealed within the time frame allowed by VA regulations. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on four different conditions (back, hypertension, right knee, and left knee disabilities) has been dismissed due to the accredited representative withdrawing all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of diabetes mellitus type II, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension was dismissed as untimely due to the filing of an untimely VA Form 10182.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are being remanded due to incomplete STRs and inadequate VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for esophageal cancer, diverticula of intestine, prostate cancer, hypertension, and hernia testicle due to inservice exposures during training at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO.