Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's hypertension was not found to meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, as there were no blood pressure readings that predominantly met the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has denied a compensable initial disability rating for service-connected hypertension, finding that the Veteran's blood pressure readings have not consistently met the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for a penile condition secondary to PTSD and hypertension secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the claims of service connection for dermatosis, hypertension, sciatic radicular pain of both legs, and restless leg syndrome.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection due to in-service herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's major neurocognitive disorder, which is secondary to his hypertension, was also granted service connection.

The Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities, including diabetes, diabetic neuropathy, tinnitus, hearing loss, and hypertension. The Board has granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including ED, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and hearing loss. The cases are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has granted an effective date of September 28, 2023 for a 10% disability rating for service-connected hypertension. The decision concludes that the Veteran's systolic blood pressure was predominantly 160 or more from July 5, 2023, but no earlier.

Service connection is granted for pantothenate kinase associated neurodegeneration (PKAN). Service connection for hypertension, a neck disability, and headaches are remanded.

The Board has granted effective dates of August 9, 2023 for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease and hypertension, as well as eligibility for VA Educational Assistance. The Veteran's claims for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are also granted.

The Board found that the Veteran is not precluded from substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities and denied the claim for a TDIU rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and right foot neuropathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's VA treatment records from June 2023 to December 2021 are not in the claims file.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and found that a compensable initial rating of 10 percent was warranted for his hypertension. The evidence showed that the Veteran had consistently high blood pressure readings, with diastolic pressures predominantly at or above 100 and systolic pressures predominantly at or above 160, requiring continuous medication.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted. Service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, and sleep apnea due to duty-to-assist errors. The issues of secondary service connection for upper and lower extremity neurological symptoms are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, migraine headaches, tinnitus, and hypertension were denied in a January 2016 rating decision. The effective date of the awards was granted on June 8, 2020, for CFS, migraine headaches, and tinnitus, and February 25, 2020, for hypertension.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for hypertension is granted as of January 11, 2020. The claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, migraine headaches, and tinnitus are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to provide adequate reasons and bases for denying service connection for hypertension on any basis other than on a presumptive basis pursuant to the PACT Act. The Veteran's direct theory of service connection for hypertension is raised, but VA medical opinions are needed regarding whether it is at least as likely as not aggravated by PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for various disabilities, including hypertension, headaches, pseudoseizures, right and left hand neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and TDIU are being remanded due to the failure to appear for scheduled VA examinations. The Board finds good cause for missing the appointments.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), laryngeal cancer, and left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing a direct relationship to his military service.

Entitlement to a compensable disability rating for hypertension from May 9, 2021, is denied due to blood pressure readings not meeting the criteria for a 10 percent disability rating under VA's rating criteria.,Entitlement to a compensable disability rating for left shoulder acromiale from May 9, 2021, is denied as the Veteran's condition has completely resolved with no residuals, recurrence, chronicity, or progression.,Entitlement to a compensable disability rating for right shoulder acromiale from May 9, 2021, is denied due to complete resolution of the condition.