Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the effective dates for service connection of diabetic peripheral neuropathy in the lower extremities and hypertension are June 28, 2019.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for hypertension, warts, and bilateral lower extremity disabilities due to errors in creating an adequate TERA memorandum and failure to obtain a TERA nexus opinion. The VA RO is required to create a new TERA memorandum considering all possible TERAs, including those related to Persian Gulf service, asbestos exposure at Fort McClellan, and the Veteran's MOS. A new TERA nexus opinion must be obtained for each of these disabilities.

Service connection for chronic sinusitis has been granted.,An initial compensable rating for hypertension was denied. The Veteran's sleep apnea claim is being remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is not service-connected as it pre-existed his military service and was not aggravated by it.,There is no diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, or depression, during the appeal period. The Veteran has attended a support group for mental health issues but no formal diagnoses were made.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development on several issues, including service connection for upper extremity radiculopathy disabilities and sleep apnea, as well as higher ratings for the back, left shoulder, lower extremity radiculopathy disorders, and allergic rhinitis.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease (CAD) due to insufficient development. The Veteran's exposure during active service is unclear, but he asserts that his conditions are related to non-deployment exposure to various toxins.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there is no evidence to support a direct link between his military service and his current condition. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish asbestos exposure or any other form of occupational exposure as the cause of his hypertension.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his blood pressure readings do not consistently show diastolic pressures predominantly 110 or more, or systolic pressures predominantly 200 or more.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and Parkinsonism due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Veteran's appeal concerning service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease, and psychiatric disorders (PTSD and anxiety) has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran is granted a temporary total disability rating due to surgery of the right foot requiring convalescence from October 27, 2022, to December 13, 2022.,The Veteran's hypertension has not been productive of diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more. Therefore, the claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent is denied.

The Veteran's hypertension, GERD, and xerostomia have been granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected conditions. He is also receiving initial disability ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for hypertension and a respiratory disability have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back, right hip, and psychiatric disabilities (PTSD).

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension prior to August 25, 2025 was dismissed as it remained pending under the legacy system and had been adjudicated by the Board.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for hypertension due to a duty to assist error and requires further examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and diabetes mellitus type II. The Board also found that there is at least an approximate balance of evidence regarding whether the Veteran's right and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy was caused by his now service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities is remanded. The Board found that the VA addendum opinions were inadequate as they did not address whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions result in the need of regular aid and attendance.

The Board has found that new evidence was received and remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension, which is secondary to obstructive sleep apnea. The case must be returned to the RO for an addendum opinion on whether the Veteran's hypertension is at least as likely as not due to or aggravated by his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions has been dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension due to herbicide exposure in Guam. The cause of death and DIC claims are remanded as the Veteran's hypertension may have caused or aggravated his other conditions.