Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2026

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee condition, hypertension, and bilateral plantar fasciitis due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran's STRs show elevated blood pressure levels during service, which may be related to his current hypertension.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for hypercalcemia and infections of the skin (staphylococcus aureus, status post insect bite) due to the Veteran's withdrawal request. The claims for hypertension and diabetes mellitus type II on a basis other than the PACT Act are remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claims for service connection and assigned effective dates of November 3, 2016, for all disabilities.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at a minimum of 10 percent, and the Board finds that she meets the criteria for this rating. The TDIU claim was denied as her service-connected disabilities do not render her incapable of securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for headaches, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The remaining issues are remanded for further development and examination.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to a duty to assist error, and requires an addendum opinion from the VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated obesity, which is considered an intermediate step in establishing secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the December 9, 2019 VA Form 9 was timely filed in response to a February 23, 2018 SOC. The underlying appeals for service connection have been reinstated.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the ratings for left knee strain, right knee strain, hypertension, and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The appeal is dismissed as a result.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and related lower extremity neuropathies as well as chronic kidney disease were denied. The effective date is set at August 10, 2022.

The Veteran's claims for coronary artery disease, diastolic heart failure, history of myocardial infarct, and hypertension have been granted. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is being remanded.,No new evidence has been received to support the service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, recurrent, with anxious distress has been granted an initial rating of 70 percent. His hypertension remains at a non-compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70 percent rating, effective January 23, 2024. His hypertension was denied an initial compensable rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of chronicity in service or within the applicable presumptive period.,The Veteran's right little finger disability does not warrant a compensable rating, as it is rated at noncompensable under Diagnostic Code 5230.,The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent and no higher due to lack of evidence showing diastolic pressure predominantly measuring 110 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly measuring 200 or more.,The Veteran's mitral valve insufficiency warrants a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7000 based on heart failure symptoms at a workload greater than 7.0 METs.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of 30 percent for hypertension with vertigo has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in a written statement.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted, and his service connection claims for various conditions were dismissed. The effective date of the TDIU is not specified in the decision.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and prostate cancer, finding that exposure to contaminated water at Camp Le Jeune led directly to the development of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for depression, hypertension, and hiatal hernia due to a claim of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in not adjudicating these issues in the July 2002 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The claims are not granted as there is no current hearing loss disability for VA purposes.