Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2026

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension and congestive heart failure was denied, and the attempt to file an appeal after the one-year deadline was dismissed due to lack of timely filing.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, spinal disability, and hypertension with acute renal failure are all granted. The rating for spinal disability is restored to 20 percent effective January 6, 2020. An increased rating for hypertension with acute renal failure is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher level of SMC was denied as he does not meet the criteria for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(1) due to lack of blindness or deafness resulting from service-connected disability, and his current disabilities do not warrant an increase in SMC.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), low back disability, neck (also claimed as upper back) disability, and eye disability are all denied. The Board found no current diagnoses of these conditions during the appeal period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition (congestive heart failure), hypertension, and shortness of breath. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's condition began during his active military service and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's hypertension, back, left knee, right knee, left hip, and right hip disabilities are granted. However, the claims for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, left shoulder disability, and neck disability are remanded due to a failure to provide a VA examination.

The appeal of the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus as secondary to his non-service-connected acquired psychiatric disability is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for paralysis of the median nerve (claimed as right-sided weakness) is denied as there is no current diagnosis of such condition.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied as his symptoms are fully contemplated by the existing rating criteria and he already receives the maximum schedular evaluation.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 18, 2020, for a higher rating of 40 percent for hypertension is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, hypertension, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted with effective dates of September 9, 2022. The Board found that the earlier effective dates requested by the Veteran were not warranted.

The Board has denied service connection for high blood pressure, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), aortic valve regurgitation, and hypothyroidism as the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection due to lack of in-service diagnosis or chronic symptoms.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection of a right knee disability and hypertensive vascular disease (hypertension). The heart disability claim is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of March 3, 2022, for the award of service connection for aortic aneurysm is granted. The rating assigned remains at 60 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension, chronic kidney disease, CAD, diabetes, and obstructive sleep apnea due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran contends that his conditions are related to in-service exposure to diesel fuel exhaust.

The Veteran's hypertension is not rated as compensable, and the Board has remanded his claim for service connection of OSA.,The AOJ failed to obtain a medical opinion addressing whether the Veteran's OSA is related to herbicide exposure or other TERA.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including sleep apnea, hypertension, left knee strain, left hip condition, right hip condition, foot pain, headaches, low back condition, and neck condition. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's application for PCAFC eligibility was remanded due to a lack of proper notification and assessment. The Board found the Veteran meets the criteria for serious injury under VA regulations.

The Veteran's angioedema, hypertension, seizures, obstructive sleep apnea, and thyroid cancer residuals are all service-connected. The rating for angioedema is denied as it meets the maximum evaluation. Hypertension receives a 10 percent rating prior to December 29, 2019 and no higher thereafter. SMC based on need for aid and attendance is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for hypertension, and the Board dismissed the case.