Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection claim for tonic-clonic seizures is denied as the evidence does not support a causal relationship to his military service or any service-connected disability. The Veteran's hypertension and prostate cancer residuals are also denied, with no compensable rating assigned due to lack of qualifying blood pressure readings.

The Board has granted a compensable rating of 10 percent for hypertension from August 10, 2022, based on the Veteran's history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more and requiring continuous medication.

The Veteran's tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a compensable degree of disability within one year following separation from service.,Service connection for hypertension and DM were granted based on the persuasive evidence showing that these conditions are related to his service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision on the claims. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for hypertension due to insufficient evidence regarding blood pressure readings during service and a need for additional VA medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to incomplete verification of his Reserve service and inadequate medical opinions regarding his hypertension and hypertensive heart disease. The RO is instructed to verify all periods of active duty, obtain TERA medical opinions if necessary, and schedule the Veteran for a psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and kidney failure due to potential exposure to herbicides during service. The appellant must provide a new TERA memorandum addressing his claimed exposure, specifically considering the January 2024 Gagetown Commission Report.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted, while his claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left shoulder disorder, and right shoulder disorder are denied. The Board also notes that the Veteran's service connection claim for hypertension was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 15, 2013 for the Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits claims based on continuous pursuit of his claim since May 15, 2013. The effective dates are fixed in accordance with the facts found.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as presumptively related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange). The aortic aneurysm, which is secondary to the service-connected hypertension, is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his service-connected disabilities, as well as the relationship between his current conditions and military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as his previous work experience and skills are sufficient to support a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, aching muscles, nocturia, depression, anxiety, hypercholesterolemia, and hyperlipidemia have been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death (acute respiratory failure, atrial fibrillation, and/or hypertension) is related to his active duty service, including from exposure to toxins and chemicals from open burn pits during the harsh winters in Korea. The Board finds a pre-decisional duty to assist error and remands for obtaining a VA medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus. The issues are being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error in the original decision.

The Veteran's service connection claims for GERD, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, atrial fibrillation, diabetes mellitus type II, and kidney disease have all been denied as there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's death was caused by end stage renal disease, which the VA clinician concluded was due to his hypertension. The private clinician opined that the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange in service, along with service-connected PTSD, caused the development of his hypertension and contributed substantially to his end stage renal disease.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to readjudicate the previously denied claims of service connection for hypertension and kidney failure. The AOJ is required to consider this new evidence in deciding these claims.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of multiple conditions have been dismissed. An effective date of September 19, 2019, has been granted for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension as secondary to his service-connected PTSD are granted.