Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension, as well as initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for a scar under the right eye, an initial compensable rating for disfigurement due to a scar under the right eye, and an initial compensable rating for a left upper back scar.

The Veteran was granted a 100 percent rating for his heart disability from January 24, 2023, and special monthly compensation (SMC) under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) beginning February 15, 2024; however, an initial compensable rating for hypertension was denied.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of chronic fatigue, hypertension, cardiovascular ailments, fibromyalgia, erectile dysfunction, OSA, migraines, lower back pain, and Gulf War Syndrome due to untimely filings or lack of clarification.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected conditions and granted SMC at the statutory housebound rate from July 5, 2023. The decision also remanded several claims related to secondary service connection.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for GERD from October 15, 2024, and denied a compensable rating for hypertension. Sleep apnea was granted service connection.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and other psychiatric disorders, hypertension, and musculoskeletal issues, to ensure compliance with duty to assist requirements.

The veteran's appeal requests for service connection and increased ratings were dismissed as they were not timely filed.

The Board granted readjudication of the claim for entitlement to service connection for hypertension due to new and relevant evidence being received.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically PTSD and migraines, rendered him unemployable as of February 1, 2023.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection for hypertension and end stage renal disease with renal transplant, as there was no evidentiary or legal basis to support an earlier effective date.

The appeal for service connection for hypertension and high cholesterol was dismissed due to a defect in the July 2025 VA Form 10182, as these issues had already been appealed and adjudicated by the May 2025 Board decision.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for prostate cancer, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type II due to duty-to-assist errors and a need for additional development of evidence related to in-service chemical exposures.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for hypertension to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error and obtain an adequate medical opinion.

The Board remands all claims for service connection for various conditions secondary to hemochromatosis due to the need for additional development.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for hypertension, on a basis other than the PACT Act, to obtain an addendum opinion addressing whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to his acknowledged in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board granted service connection for liver cancer, diabetes mellitus, esophageal varices, and hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver. The appeal for cirrhosis of the liver was dismissed due to a full and complete grant of benefits. Service connection for GERD and a gastrointestinal disorder was denied.

The Board denied the claims for a compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae and service connection for hypertension, finding that the evidence did not support these claims.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for hypertension and Supraventricular arrhythmia as additional development is necessary to obtain adequate medical opinions addressing the Veteran's contentions regarding a possible link to contaminated water from Camp Lejeune.

The Board granted an initial compensable rating of 10 percent for hypertension and a 50 percent increased rating for tension headaches.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal at the October 2025 Board hearing, and the appeal is dismissed.