Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2026

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in obtaining records and a need for another medical opinion considering all toxic exposures.

The Veteran's hypertension rating was reduced from 20% to 10%, effective June 9, 2023. Ratings for hypertension prior to and after this date were denied.,The reduction of the separate 30% rating for hypothyroidism to a combined 10% rating with xerosis cutis was granted. The Veteran's PTSD rating was granted at 70%.,Ratings for CAD, aortic stenosis, diastolic dysfunction, and left atrium dilation were denied.,The Veteran's hearing loss was denied a compensable rating.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, urinary issue, right hip arthritis, diabetes mellitus, and various types of neuropathy were denied. A TDIU was granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that it is secondary to his service-connected depressive disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for lupus, increased disability ratings for Tourette's syndrome, allergic rhinitis, hypertension, and a right upper extremity scar. The Veteran was not provided notice of his right to a hearing on these supplemental claims.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including hypertension, do not meet the criteria for service connection based on direct evidence and insufficient medical nexus opinions. The Veteran is being remanded to obtain a VA examination to determine if any of these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for a new medical opinion to determine if it had its onset in service or is etiologically related to service, considering the elevated blood pressure readings recorded during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, finding no evidence of a chronic disease in service or within the presumptive period. The Board also found that there was insufficient evidence to support a secondary service connection claim based on his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of hypercholesterolemia, central pain syndrome, right shoulder disability, left ankle strain, lumbosacral strain (low back condition), hypertension, ischemic stroke, hemiplegia/hemiparesis, craniectomy with acquired skull defect and delayed wound healing, deep vein thrombosis, seizure disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea have been denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection of TDIU has also been remanded.,The Board found that the Veteran does not have current disabilities of hypercholesterolemia, central pain syndrome, right shoulder disability, or left ankle strain. Service connection was denied for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and pneumonia due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran's current diagnoses are not supported by the medical records provided.

The Veteran's hypertension and tinea pedis have been rated appropriately. The skin disorder, separate from service-connected tinea pedis, has not been shown to be related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of hypertension, finding that no new and material evidence was received within one year of the November 2010 rating decision.

The Board has determined that the current rating decision denying service connection for hypertension is not final and remands the case to allow for further development, including a VA medical examination.

The Board has found that the Veteran's hypertension did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an earlier effective date or higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, as it is related to his service-connected major depressive disorder. The VA examiner's opinion was inadequate and less probative due to its failure to provide a direct service connection opinion or an aggravation opinion regarding the Veteran's hypertension.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected, with the condition being directly related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a right corneal abrasion is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's claims for diabetes, hypertension, and kidney conditions are remanded due to potential service connection based on exposure at Camp Lejeune.,The Veteran's claim for sleep apnea is remanded due to his contention that he has had the condition for over 30 years.,The Veteran's claim for bilateral pes planus is remanded as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence of aggravation by service.,The Veteran's claim for degenerative arthritis, right hip, is remanded due to lack of a nexus between service and his current condition.,The Veteran's claims for right and left ankle conditions are both remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of psychiatric disorder. Service connection was granted for heart condition, throat condition, and hypertension due to herbicide exposure in Japan. Diabetes condition is denied as there is no evidence of treatment or diagnosis.

Service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease (CAD) is granted due to exposure to herbicide agents in service, as established by the PACT Act. The effective date of this decision is August 10, 2022.