Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA examination or medical opinion addressing the nature and etiology of hypertension, including whether it is related to service, onset within one year of separation, or caused by or aggravated by his service-connected left knee fracture.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD, prostate cancer residuals, and hypertension have been dismissed as the March 2024 Board decision implementing these determinations is considered a purely ministerial implementation of prior decisions.,An initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hypertension has not been granted due to the Veteran's blood pressure readings consistently being below the threshold required for higher ratings under Diagnostic Code 7101.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hypertension and heart disease, prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment since September 7, 2006.

The appeal has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal for higher ratings and service connection claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his exposure to herbicide agents in active service, and he had current disabilities of cardiac pulmonary arrest, cirrhosis, acute kidney disease, and portal hypertension. The Board found that these conditions were as likely as not caused by exposure to herbicide agents in active service and contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for pulmonary hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his active duty service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeal for right hand disability. It granted presumptive service connection for CAD and hypertension, as well as causation-based service connection for hypertensive retinopathy and dry eyes secondary to hypertension.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to support the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, and lung spots (granulomatous disease), which were previously denied. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) because the Veteran did not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU until April 17, 2009. The effective date is set at this date as it is the earliest possible effective date given that the Veteran met the schedular criteria and there was no formal claim prior to this date.

The Veteran's hypertension was found not to meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The claims of degenerative disc disease and left lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction, diabetes, hypertension, and coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's hypertension, a service-connected condition, has not met the criteria for a compensable disability rating under Diagnostic Code 7101. The Board found that his blood pressure readings did not consistently meet the required thresholds of systolic or diastolic pressures.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension as secondary to his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder. The opinion provided by G.U., an advanced nurse practitioner, supports that the Veteran's obesity, caused or aggravated by his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder, is a substantial factor in causing his current hypertension.

The Board has granted an effective date of September 23, 2020 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's claim for earlier effective dates and increased ratings are addressed in separate sections.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and potential toxic exposure. The claims will be reviewed with consideration of any TERA at Fort McClellan.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and disability ratings have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claims prior to the promulgation of a decision by the Board.

The Veteran's heart disability, coronary artery disease with valvular heart disease, is currently rated at 60 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran has met the percentage requirements for consideration of a schedular TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board finds that he is precluded from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that new and relevant evidence supports a diagnosis of hypertension during active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip disability, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, steatohepatitis (fatty liver), testicular cancer, and prostatitis. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible reports of symptoms during active duty service and VA medical opinions supporting a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's other service-connected disabilities do not result in a combined rating of 60 percent or higher independent from his PTSD and TDIU for PTSD alone.,The evidence does not demonstrate that the Veteran was substantially confined to his dwelling and immediate premises as a direct result of his service-connected disabilities.