Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2026

The Board has granted effective dates of February 11, 2022 for service connection of heart disability, OSA, and hypertension. The effective dates are based on the Veteran's exposure to toxic materials consistent with his duties as a machinery repairman during active naval service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a lumbar spine condition, diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic retinopathy, neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, essential tremors, coronary artery disease (CAD) with bypass graft, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss.,There was no evidence linking these conditions to active service or service-related toxic exposure.

The appeal is dismissed due to a procedural defect in compliance with a claims-processing rule. The Veteran attempted a concurrent election when he submitted the August 26, 2025 VA Form 10182, which is prohibited by the claims-processing rules.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at a 10% effective October 24, 2025. The Board denied an earlier effective date for the rating due to lack of factual ascertainability before that date. TDIU was granted based on PTSD alone since July 9, 2023.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted an increased rating of 70% from October 16, 2019 to January 23, 2022. Service connection for residuals of a stroke is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, kidney disease secondary to hypertension, and a low back disorder. The decision is based on the benefit of doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings and effective dates have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.,The Board also remanded several issues related to service connection, including right knee osteoarthritis, IVDS, chronic right wrist sprain, OSA, COPD, and other conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for hypertension and tinnitus due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran's private medical records from Atrium Health need to be obtained.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of hypertension, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction secondary to sinus arrythmia for further evaluation.

The Veteran requested to withdraw all issues in his appeal, including the claim for service connection for hypertension. As a result, the Board has dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for beneficiary travel expenses related to treatment on October 26, 2021, November 23, 2021, and January 4, 2022 are granted as the evidence shows he attended his appointments.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for headache, hypertension, and COPD due to a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran's headaches are not considered a current disability, while his hypertension and COPD may be related to service.

The Board denied a compensable rating for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's blood pressure readings did not consistently meet the criteria for a 10% or higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7101.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension on a basis other than the PACT Act and remanded the stomach disorder claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate prior to January 14, 2022, as he did not meet the criteria of having a single service-connected disability rated as 100% disabling and additional disabilities independently ratable at 60%.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition is granted. The claim for an increased rating for hypertension is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension due to a lack of an examination addressing whether these conditions are secondary to his service-connected HIV. The Veteran should be afforded a VA examination, and any outstanding records should be obtained.

The Board has denied direct service connection for hypertension due to lack of evidence showing its onset during active duty or verified period of ACDUTRA. The appeal is now remanded for further development, including obtaining addendum opinions addressing the etiology of hypertension and hypertensive heart disease as well as obesity's role in causing these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for joint pain, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, hypertension prior to August 10, 2022, and a bowel disorder due to inadequacies in the medical opinions provided.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes, and transient ischemic attack are remanded due to inadequate VA medical opinions. Additional development is needed including obtaining updated treatment records and providing addendum VA opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.