Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2025

The Board readjudicated the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a respiratory disability, and a skin disability based on new and relevant evidence. The claims for an acquired psychiatric disability, sleep impairment, hypertension, impaired vision, residual disability from vasectomy, and a compensable rating for scars were denied.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and heart condition (also claimed hypertension), both secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder, for further development.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for lung cancer, throat cancer, hypertension, and a heart disorder to verify the Veteran's claimed exposures.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for hypertension to obtain a new medical opinion addressing the theories of secondary service connection and exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and a compensable rating for hypertension, as well as remanded the claim for service connection for tinnitus.

The Board granted an initial rating of 20 percent for right and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, but denied a higher rating for hypertension. The Board also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the period from May 17, 2016, to March 27, 2018.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for headaches and hypertension due to inadequate medical opinions and a need to consider evidence of toxic exposure risk activities under the PACT Act.

The Board granted service connection for the cause of death, finding that hypertension was secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death while it was pending before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board denied a rating higher than 60 percent for chronic kidney disease but granted a separate rating of 10 percent for hypertension. The Board also remanded service connection for cholecystectomy and entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for all service connection and rating issues related to GERD, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, TDIU, and DEA.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to improper concurrent election of multiple review options.

The Board granted an initial effective date of January 6, 2020, for service connection of hypertension based on a direct basis and the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for hypertension but remanded the claims for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, left and right lower extremities.

The Board dismissed the issues of service connection for GERD, hepatitis, nausea, a stomach disability, strep throat, and bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to April 4, 2024, was denied; an initial 10 percent disability rating for hypertension was granted; and the appeals for service connection for kidney disease, TDIU, special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria, and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. § chapter 35 prior to August 10, 2022, were denied.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of hypertension due to improper concurrent election.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for hypertension, as there was no evidence of diastolic blood pressure predominantly 100 or more, systolic blood pressure predominantly 160 or more, or a history of such.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for hypertension and ischemic heart disease due to a need for additional development, specifically an examination to determine if there is a nexus between the Veteran's conditions and his exposure to Agent Orange.