Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2025

The Board denied the veteran's claims for survivor's pension, accrued benefits, and DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 due to the appellant's countable income exceeding the applicable maximum annual pension rates, no unpaid VA benefits or pending claims at the time of death, and lack of service-connected disability rated totally disabling.

The Board granted service connection for allergic rhinitis and readjudicated the claims for PTSD, right ankle disorder, and hypertension based on new evidence. The evaluation in excess of 50 percent for bilateral pes planus was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and a more favorable effective date for his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for monoclonal gammopathy of uncertain significance, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy in all extremities as there was no evidence to support the Veteran's claims of exposure to herbicide agents or other relevant factors.

The Board denied service connection for tarsal tunnel syndrome of the left and right lower extremities, bilateral feet disorder, hypertension, bladder disorder, and headache syndrome. The remaining claims were remanded for further development.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection and initial ratings for hypertension and hypothyroidism, granting a separate 10 percent rating for cold sensitivity due to hypothyroidism.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for service-connected hypertension as there was no evidence of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more, or continuous medication with a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more.

The Board granted a higher initial disability rating of 10 percent for hypertension and service connection for paralysis of the right and left lower extremities, both secondary to the service-connected hypertension.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for microcytic anemia, hypertension, and a lumbosacral strain due to errors in the AOJ's duty to assist.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left elbow arthralgia and hypertension as the May 2023 medical opinions are found to be inadequate.

The Board denied an increased rating for tinnitus and granted earlier effective dates for the ratings of various service-connected conditions, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and other disorders.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for higher-level review of the denials of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, hypertensive vascular disease, and degenerative arthritis of the spine.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death before filing an appeal to the Board.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for hypertension, finding that the evidence did not support a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more or current systolic pressures of predominantly 160 or more.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date, service connection for lung cancer, and remanded claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, and colon cancer.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of hypertension to correct a duty to assist error, including obtaining missing records and a new opinion.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his acute myocardial infarction, pulmonary fibrosis, congestive heart failure, and arterial hypertension were not related to his military service.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability, but denied service connection and higher ratings for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, GERD, cervical strain with degenerative joint disease and IVDS, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for high blood pressure due to a lack of evidence showing he has a current diagnosis of hypertension.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for hypertension and a heart condition due to duty to assist errors, including failure to verify exposure to toxic chemicals during service.