Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2025

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding no evidence of current disabilities or functional impairment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected psychiatric disability, service connection for persistent depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for nephrolithiasis (kidney stones), and service connection for hypertension. The claim for a compensable rating for migraine headaches was remanded.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for hypertension to correct a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error, as the September 2023 VA medical opinion was inadequate.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death while it was pending.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, arthritis (other than of the back or neck), and a neck disability to obtain additional medical opinions addressing secondary service connection theories.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for hypertension as the Veteran's blood pressure readings did not meet the criteria for a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include an anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, is rated at 70 percent from September 1, 2021, due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include an anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, is rated at 70 percent from September 1, 2021, but no more.

The Board granted a higher rating of 10 percent for hypertension prior to September 10, 2024, but denied a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board granted the restoration of a 10 percent rating for hypertension, effective July 1, 2025. The remaining claims were remanded.

The Board granted an effective date of September 26, 2022, for the award of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, and hypertension.

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

The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, Parkinson's disease, hypertension (under the PACT Act), prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction. The claims for anemia, insomnia, and Alzheimer's disease were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral cataracts, restrictive lung disease/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, right hip osteoarthritis, left hip osteoarthritis, and low back pain/back osteoarthritis. The claim for a compensable initial disability rating for hypertension was denied.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an initial rating higher than 0 percent for GERD prior to June 13, 2023, and a 10 percent rating thereafter. The claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for hypertension was denied.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of hypertension and remanded several other claims, including those for brain damage, memory loss, vertigo, seizures, acquired psychiatric disability, urinary incontinence, and fecal incontinence.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for hypertension to obtain an additional medical opinion, as the previous one was deemed inadequate.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the remaining claims for further development.

The Board granted an effective date of April 19, 2021, for the award of service connection for hypertension and denied service connection for diabetes mellitus. Bilateral hearing loss was also granted service connection.

The Board granted an effective date of January 27, 2017, for the award of service connection for hypertension as a complication of diabetes.