Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for coronary artery disease and hypertension have been denied. The heart disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating, while the hypertension has never met the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and a left arm disorder due to a duty-to-assist error involving missing VA treatment records from the 1970s.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been remanded due to the need for further development. The issues of service connection remain unresolved.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including issues related to service connection and disability ratings. The case will be returned to the AOJ for consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and osteoarthritis (including of the bilateral hands, right knee, right hip, left shoulder, and neck), all claimed as secondary to service-connected cognitive disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone did not prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to December 11, 2009. The Board denied the claim for TDIU on both schedular and extraschedular grounds.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and sleep apnea. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding these issues.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of sleep apnea and hypertension due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's service-connected deviated septum is alleged to have aggravated his sleep apnea, but this needs further examination. Similarly, the relationship between hypertension and both sleep apnea and the Veteran’s service need clarification.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II and/or hypertension. However, due to inadequate reasoning in a previous VA opinion, another remand is required for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him bedridden, confined to his immediate premises, or unable to care for his daily needs without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person. Therefore, he is not eligible for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, low back disability, RLE radiculopathy, and LLE radiculopathy were denied. The Veteran was granted earlier effective dates for service connection of RLE and LLE radiculopathy, as well as TDIU and SMC based on housebound status.

The Board has granted service connection for multiple myeloma, a right eye disability, and hypertension. The decision is based on the reopening of these claims due to new evidence.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to hypertension, which was previously awarded in an October 2020 decision. The Veteran's cause of death was cardiac arrest due to possible myocardial infraction and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance due to concerns about updated VA examinations, particularly regarding a bilateral knee disorder. The examiner is requested to clarify whether this disorder is related to service-connected conditions or if it should be considered separately.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the claims of hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression), and GERD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the original grants of service connection for Hodgkin's disease, CHF and pulmonary hypertension with tachycardia and automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ACID) placement, and peripheral neuropathy were clearly and unmistakably erroneous due to incorrect application of VA law and regulation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete information regarding his SSA income. The Board will verify the amount of his SSA benefits and request that he submit EVR and Medical Expense Reports for the specified period.