Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2026

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of hypertension, finding that there is no persuasive evidence linking his current diagnosis to his in-service participation in toxic exposure risk activities or any other in-service injury, event, or disease. The Board concluded that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension is not rated higher than noncompensable, as the criteria for a compensable rating are not met.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received, warranting readjudication of the claims for service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, hypertension as secondary to PTSD is granted, and the Veteran is granted TDIU based on her service-connected PTSD. Osteoarthritis of the right knee is not related to service, but she is granted SMC due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran is granted SMC at the enhanced R-1 rate due to his need for regular assistance with activities of daily living and a total disability rating, including service-connected conditions such as Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further evaluation.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected, and they have ordered a new VA medical opinion to address this issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran may have been exposed to chemical dioxins while stationed in Thailand, and remands the case for further development to determine if this exposure led to his death.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hypertension was granted. The claims for bilateral pes planus, bilateral plantar fasciitis, left foot callus, right shin splint, left shin splint, right hip strain, and left hip strain were all denied as they are not considered to be aggravated by or caused by the service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's initial rating for diabetes mellitus, type II, is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. The claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is also denied.

The Veteran's service connection for hypertension and PTSD with alcohol use disorder (PTSD) is granted, with a 10% rating assigned from July 11, 2022. The effective date of the service connection for hypertension is set at July 11, 2022.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Hypertension. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed with additional medical evaluations.

Service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes mellitus is granted. Service connection for macular degeneration is remanded due to lack of a VA examination addressing the issue.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension has been granted an initial 10 percent rating, effective August 10, 2022. The evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for hypertension, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in pre-decisional duty to assist and other statutory and regulatory duties. The appellant is not provided with proper notice for a cause of death claim, and further development is needed regarding herbicide agent exposure and radiation exposure during service.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for IVDS, functional diarrhea, face scars, LLE radiculopathy associated with lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome (LLE radiculopathy), and hypertension. The Veteran's claims were based on a March 1, 2024, intent to file form.,The Board also denied an earlier effective date for eligibility for Dependents' Assistance under 38 USC chapter 35 (DEA).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, asthma, high blood pressure, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) have all been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for these conditions based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to be the cause of his obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension, leading to a grant of service connection for these conditions. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD remains denied.

The Veteran's hypertension, which requires continuous medication for control and has a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, is granted with a 10 percent disability rating.