Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for hypertension, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, prostatectomy, and urinary incontinence with artificial sphincter based on the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his service near the demilitarized zone (DMZ) in Korea.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension and cervical spine spondylosis with myelopathy, status post discectomy, decompression and fusion.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as the evidence did not support a finding of in-service exposure to herbicides or a direct link to service.

The appeal was granted for new and relevant evidence to readjudicate the claims for service connection for urinary tract infections (UTIs) and insomnia, while hypertension was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for hypertension as there were no systolic or diastolic readings predominantly 160 or more or 100 or more, respectively.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to obstructive sleep apnea and denied service connection for plantar fasciitis.

The Board granted initial disability ratings of 20 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, but denied a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction.

The Board granted an initial 10 percent rating for hypertension and denied a higher rating, while also denying an increased rating for unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension on a presumptive basis due to in-service herbicide exposure and remanded the claims for stroke and kidney disease for further development.

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

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for hypertension and a rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity, sciatic nerve (RLE).

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 10 percent for hypertension, as the evidence showed a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more and that required continuous medication for control.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension and an initial rating of 50 percent for headaches, resolving all doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board remands the claim for an initial compensable rating for hypertension to obtain additional private medical records from Kaiser Permanente.

The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension, but dismissed the appeal for service connection for foot pain and denied an initial compensable rating for hypertension.

The Board granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II, but denied service connection for a bilateral hip disability. The other issues related to the bilateral eye condition, prostate disability, and hypertension were remanded.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for right knee degenerative arthritis and a 20 percent rating for right knee patellar instability, effective from April 25, 2023, while denying service connection for hypertension and increased ratings for other conditions.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for hypertension and diverticulosis, claimed as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), to obtain adequate medical opinions addressing causation and aggravation.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for GERD with hiatal hernia and hypertension, as new and relevant evidence has been received. The claims for allergic rhinitis, sinus condition, ankle gout, recurrent left shoulder dislocation, and right knee disability are denied as no new and relevant evidence was submitted.

The veteran withdrew the appeal for all issues, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review the appeal.