Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2026

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting SMC based on the need for aid and attendance from March 24, 2017.

The Veteran's persistent depression, cannabis use disorder, and alcohol use disorder are rated at 100 percent disabling. The bilateral hearing loss is rated at 80 percent disabling. The tinea versicolor remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide agent exposure. The claims for right upper and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a dental condition for VA outpatient treatment purposes, effective January 5, 2021. The claims of service connection for hypertension and GERD are being remanded.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for a psychiatric disability was denied, and the claim for hypertension is remanded due to insufficient evidence in the service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low red blood cell count, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus type II (DMII), hypertension, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to DMII, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to DMII, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to DMII, and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to DMII due to the need for additional National Guard records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed because the Notice of Disagreement (NOD) was not timely filed within one year of the rating decisions, and there is no basis for waiving this rule.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been evaluated, and the appeals for increased ratings are denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher evaluations.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for hypertension was denied as his blood pressure readings did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7101.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and hypertension associated with herbicide agent exposure have been granted. Service connection for vasectomy scar residuals is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of hypertension, sinus disorder, and pneumonia have been dismissed as untimely.,Restoration of the 10% ratings for right hip strain and right knee sprain from February 13, 2024 has also been dismissed as moot.

The appeal for service connection of sleep apnea is granted. The claim for hypertension is remanded due to a new theory.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension due to toxic chemical exposure during military service, specifically at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran's MOS as a Bulk Fuel Man may have resulted in such exposure.

The Veteran's TDIU is based solely on his service-connected mixed anxiety with depression, and he has additional service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or higher. Therefore, SMC based on statutory housebound status is granted as of June 1, 2019.

The Board has granted effective dates of August 10, 2022 for service connection and benefits related to arteriosclerotic heart disease, hypertension, TDIU, and Veterans dependents' educational assistance under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with other disabilities, has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that the evidence supports his claim for TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and hypertensive heart disease with heart failure (claimed as cardiomyopathy) due to exposure during military service, specifically through the TERA program. The claims are based on a positive nexus opinion provided by VA medical examiners who considered the Veteran's participation in toxic exposure risk activities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete information regarding hypertension, and because a decision on the hypertension issue could significantly impact the total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus type II, prostate cancer, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and hypertension due to service connection. The VA examinations were deemed inadequate, and further examination is required.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, hypertension, gastrointestinal disability, bilateral eye disability, and psychiatric disorder due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Korea. The Veteran's claims were remanded for consideration of obstructive sleep apnea.