Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2024

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of left shoulder strain, lumbosacral strain, and left knee strain. Appeals for high blood pressure, foot condition (including foot fungus), and erectile dysfunction were also dismissed due to a duplicate appeal docket.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder caused his obesity, which in turn caused his obstructive sleep apnea. The Board granted service connection for OSA based on the opinion that obesity was a substantial factor causing OSA and would not have occurred without it.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and hypertension to include as secondary to a service-connected disability due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran is presumed to have participated in a TERA, particularly by virtue of his deployment to Southwest Asia where he was exposed to toxic substances. A VA examination and medical opinion are needed regarding the onset and relationship of type II diabetes mellitus to service and whether it is related to or aggravated by TERA exposure. For hypertension, a VA medical opinion is also required considering total potential exposure through all applicable military deployments and synergistic effects of TERA.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to an earlier effective date for hypertension prior to August 10, 2022 and entitlement to a compensable rating for hypertension. The Veteran's representative argued that he should have an earlier effective date based on the PACT Act.

The Board has decided that a remand is necessary due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's aortic aneurysm is caused or aggravated by his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's asbestosis is rated at 100 percent, and he is granted SMC at the housebound rate due to his service-connected coronary artery disease with congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and status post angioplasty associated with asbestosis.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted with a 10 percent rating, effective August 10, 2022.,Service connection for bilateral knee joint osteoarthritis and bilateral hand degenerative arthritis are granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as zero percent disabling, and a higher rating is not warranted.,His hypertension has been rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, evaluated at a 100 percent rating since February 28, 2017, and his eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) are granted effective from February 28, 2017. The Veteran also received SMC based on housebound status as of April 13, 2021.

The appeal for service connection on five conditions (heart condition, high blood pressure, diabetes, left foot swelling, and left leg swelling) has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further evaluation and consideration of service connection issues, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The initial ratings for migraine headaches and hypertension are denied as they do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, pancreatic cancer, and chronic pain in multiple body parts. The appeals are being remanded to consider additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's timely substantive appeal was received in response to a June 2018 Statement of the Case (SOC) addressing his claims for service connection for PTSD and hypertension. The appeal is granted, and his legacy appeal with respect to these issues is reinstated.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of service connection for hypertension, and as a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for dizziness and left ear hearing loss were dismissed. Service connection was granted for hypertension, bladder obstruction, and PTSD on a direct basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis. The remaining issues of service connection have been denied due to a lack of current disability.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for hypertension and prostate cancer residuals due to insufficient opinions regarding exposure to contaminants at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted a disability evaluation of 20 percent effective December 11, 2019, and a 40 percent disability evaluation effective June 2, 2021.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD), Diabetes Mellitus, Type II (DM), tinnitus, and Hypertension (HTN) have been denied. The Veteran was also remanded for further review of his claim for service connection for a disability manifest by dizziness secondary to a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's IHD is rated at 60 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable criteria. His DM is currently rated at 20 percent, and tinnitus at 10 percent. The Veteran's HTN does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded seven service connection claims for erectile dysfunction, irritable bowel syndrome, allergic rhinitis, hypertension, acid reflux with nausea, insomnia, anxiety, and depression, as well as sinusitis. The AOJ must attempt to obtain the Veteran's complete service treatment records from his last duty station at Fort Knox, KY.