Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2024

The claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and COPD are being remanded due to the receipt of new and relevant evidence. The Veteran was exposed to burn pits during his service in Korea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and a heart condition, to include hypertension, are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding causation or aggravation by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected and does not warrant a compensable rating.,His right and left lower extremity radiculopathies are not secondary to his low back disability, as he is not currently service-connected for the condition.,His anxiety disorder is also not secondary to his low back disability or associated radiculopathy.,The Veteran's low back disability (claimed as stenosis) and PTSD claims are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted on a presumptive basis under the PACT Act.,Service connection for right upper extremity diabetic neuropathy and left upper extremity diabetic neuropathy is denied as there is no current disability or evidence of such during service.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied due to lack of current disability.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, a left ankle disability, and a right ankle disability. The decision finds that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension, an acquired psychiatric condition (likely PTSD, insomnia, adjustment disorder), and erectile dysfunction due to inadequate medical opinions in the original decision.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral glaucoma was denied due to lack of new and relevant evidence. The Board found that the current diagnosis of bilateral glaucoma is related to service.,Coronary artery disease, claimed as due to chronic fatigue syndrome, was granted as it is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, residuals of left eye injury, chronic kidney disease, and residuals of stroke due to conflicting medical opinions and a need for further development regarding toxic exposure risk activities (TERA).

The Veteran's hypertension is granted from August 10, 2022. Service connection for right lower extremity, right upper extremity, and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure (PACT Act) is granted.

The Veteran's hypertension condition has been rated as noncompensable since service connection effective August 10, 2022. The Board granted a compensable rating of 10 percent for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric conditions and hypertension are found to cause him to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with other disabilities, rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board granted a TDIU from June 23, 2022.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension as the appellant withdrew his appeal through his authorized representative.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right and left ankle disabilities, and other conditions, do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment as of February 19, 2020. The Board denied the claim for TDIU.

The Board has denied service connection for a left ankle disability and diabetes mellitus, type II. The claim of service connection for hypertension (claimed as high blood pressure) is remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause him to need the regular aid and assistance of another person, qualifying for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance. The issue of entitlement to SMC by reason of housebound status is moot as a result.

The Board denied an increased rating for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's blood pressure readings did not meet the criteria for a higher rating at any point during the period on review.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected on a direct basis. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension under the PACT Act as presumptively due to exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam. The effective date is August 10, 2022. However, the issue of whether service connection can be established based on a different theory remains pending.

The Veteran's combined rating of 90 percent based on past-due benefits granted in May 2024 is denied as the criteria for a higher rating have not been met.