Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2026

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA eligibility are granted effective May 1, 2014.,Both conditions were met for the first time on May 1, 2014.

The Veteran's initial rating higher than 10 percent for hypertension and service connection for a low back disability are both denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's kidney disease is being remanded for further review as it may be related to his service-connected hyperthyroidism or in-service toxic exposure risk.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for the regular aid and attendance of another person or housebound status is denied as he does not require such assistance.

The Veteran's hypertension was not granted an earlier effective date than August 10, 2022.,Effective February 25, 2021, the Veteran is now eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance based on permanent and total disability status due to multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) from January 18, 2017, forward was denied as his service-connected disabilities alone are not of sufficient severity to produce unemployability.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee disability, hypothyroidism, hypertension, and hypertensive heart disease (secondary to hypertension) due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the Veteran's theories of entitlement.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease, supraventricular tachycardia, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and iliac aneurysm as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's migraines, hypertension, and chronic fatigue syndrome have been granted ratings. However, service connection for other conditions remains denied.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for coronary artery disease with atrial fibrillation, hypertension, and prostate cancer with voiding dysfunction was improper due to lack of clear and unmistakable error in the original grant of service connection based on herbicide exposure. The appeal is granted.

New and relevant evidence has been received to readjudicate the claims for service connection for a right knee disability, hypertension, and TIA.,The Veteran's right knee disability is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding secondary service connection. The claim for hypertension and TIA are also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension. These conditions are found to be proximately due or the result of service-connected right ankle sprain, sinusitis, and sleep apnea, respectively.

The Veteran's hypertension and hysterectomy were not present in service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of service, nor is it otherwise etiologically related to service.,The Veteran underwent a total abdominal hysterectomy due to fibroids in 1997.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for hypertension is denied as the evidence does not show diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more based on blood pressure readings during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's cause of death and hypertension are related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the left knee was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence showing a current diagnosis or functional loss related to this condition.,For PTSD, the Veteran received an increased rating from 70% to 100%, effective January 17, 2025. This decision also granted initial ratings of 50% for migraine headaches and 100% for hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of July 7, 2004, for the grant of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to a back disability is granted. The issue of service connection for hypertension, secondary to anxiety disorder with major depressive disorder (MDD), is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension and COPD due to predecisional duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran's hypertension is presumed to have existed prior to service, but there was no examination or opinion addressing whether it was aggravated by service. For COPD, there was no direct service connection medical opinion on the relationship between in-service chest pain and difficulty swallowing.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, OSA, and high blood pressure due to potential pre-service onset and/or military exposure. The claim for left ear hearing loss remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension on a direct basis, finding that the evidence is approximately evenly balanced as to whether it is related to service. The decision also notes that the PACT Act added hypertension to the list of diseases presumed service connected in veterans exposed to herbicide agents, but since the claim was filed before the effective date of the PACT Act, the grant is based on a direct basis.