Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2026

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his combined schedular ratings did not meet the threshold requirement for consideration of TDIU. The case was remanded multiple times and ultimately denied again.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence on file regarding whether hypertension is related to service, including herbicide agent exposure and elevated blood pressure readings. A VA medical opinion is needed.

The Veteran's hypertension was evaluated under the criteria for hypertensive vascular disease, but his diastolic pressure has not been predominantly 100 or more at any point during the appeal period. Therefore, he is not entitled to a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and related peripheral neuropathy have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or other causative factors.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected hypothyroidism and hypertension were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.,Both conditions are currently rated as noncompensable.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes mellitus type II due to insufficient evidence of toxic exposure during service. The Veteran's participation in a TERA involving fuel and chemical exposure on the USS Lexington is unclear.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective November 21, 2024. The effective date for the initial 70% rating for adjustment disorder is February 11, 2018.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected cluster headaches, granting service connection for this condition.

Service connection for coronary artery disease as secondary to hypertension is granted.,The Veteran's right hip osteoarthritis, status-post right hip replacement, including femoral acetabular impingement syndrome, was assigned a 90 percent rating effective from September 25, 2024.,Earlier effective dates for the 30 percent ratings for osteoarthritis and a degenerative rotator cuff of each shoulder are denied as there is no evidence of record in the one year period prior to September 25, 2024, that these criteria were met.,The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease including intervertebral disc syndrome, spinal stenosis, and lumbosacral strain with arthritis was assigned a 40 percent rating effective from August 29, 2023.

The Veteran's low back strain is rated at 40 percent, and the issues of IBS and CFS are dismissed. The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder with a major depressive episode do not meet criteria for a higher rating. Service connection is granted for cervical strain and right knee pain.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is granted on a presumptive basis under the PACT Act. However, the effective date of this award can be no earlier than August 10, 2022. The Board has remanded to explore alternate theories of entitlement to service connection based on direct service connection for the period prior to the PACT Act's effective date.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding no evidence of current disability related to service.,The Board remanded the issue of hypertension, requiring further examination and opinion regarding potential association with toxic exposure risk activities (TERAs) during service.

The Veteran's hypertension has been granted an initial 10 percent rating, but his lumbar spine disability remains remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding the severity of the Veteran's hypertension and its relation to a stroke. The Veteran will need to undergo another VA examination to address these issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II is being remanded due to the lack of relevant private medical records, specifically those from Dr. Lambert and a kidney specialist prescribing lisinopril.

The Veteran's hypertension is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder. The right hip bursitis and thigh impairment are also remanded for a VA examination to determine their severity.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty in Vietnam and Guam, effective from August 10, 2022.

The Veteran's service connection claims for headaches, memory loss as residuals of TBI, low back disability (lumbosacral strain), and right ankle disability (right ankle strain) have been granted. The claim for hypertension was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, result in loss of use of both feet. The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to service connection for loss of bladder control and bowel control due to insufficient evidence at this time.

The Board has remanded the claims for high blood pressure, headaches, and any acquired psychological disorder (including anxiety, depression, and PTSD) due to service connection. The Veteran's current diagnoses include hypertension, migraine headaches, and an acquired psychological disorder such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD. A VA examination is needed to address these issues.