Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2026

The Board denied an initial compensable disability rating for hypertension and denied a prior effective date for service connection of hypertension. The appellant's hypertension was granted secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability, but the criteria for a higher rating were not met.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause incapacity requiring regular aid and attendance, and the Board has granted SMC effective March 17, 2023.

The Board has remanded the cases due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors and requests for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertensive heart disease and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, and a heart condition due to potential duty-to-assist errors. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all relevant medical records from his Reserve period of service and private providers.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for service connection for various conditions, finding that the appeal was untimely filed.

The appeal for an effective date earlier than August 6, 2023 for service connection of various conditions is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) because his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's OSA is granted as it was caused and/or aggravated by his other service-connected disabilities, with obesity serving as an intermediate step.,ED remains denied as there is no additional impairment or symptoms warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have caused him to be in need of regular aid and attendance, which has been granted for special monthly compensation (SMC).

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of October 20, 2023, for the service connection of PTSD, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral hearing loss.

All appeals for increased ratings and TDIU have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals related to these issues at a hearing.

The Board denied an increased disability rating for PTSD and denied service connection for Diabetes Mellitus, Type II; Hypertension; a nerve condition of the bilateral lower extremities; Low back condition; Urinary frequency; and Fused neck condition. The appeal was dismissed as untimely.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension due to a failure to obtain opinions regarding whether service-connected anxiety disorder caused or aggravated obesity, which in turn led to diabetes mellitus and/or hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for heart condition, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service at RTAFB Ubon and RTAFB Udorn. The appeals are all granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus, bladder cancer, and hypertension are all granted service connection based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand. The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to these conditions during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied in December 2011. The Veteran and his attorney filed a supplemental claim seeking this benefit, which resulted in its grant in May 2024. As the appeal is based on past-due benefits awarded in the May 2024 rating decision, the Veteran's eligibility to attorney fees was granted.

The Veteran's OSA is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD and hypertension. The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is granted an initial disability rating of 70 percent, effective December 27, 2018.

The appeals for service connection of various conditions have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran, who was the original claimant.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). The AOJ is required to obtain new, adequate opinions from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's disability ratings for diabetic neuropathy and hypertension were restored to their previous levels effective November 1, 2025.