Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board denied an increased rating for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's blood pressure readings did not meet the criteria for a higher rating at any point during the period on review.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected on a direct basis. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension under the PACT Act as presumptively due to exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam. The effective date is August 10, 2022. However, the issue of whether service connection can be established based on a different theory remains pending.

The Veteran's combined rating of 90 percent based on past-due benefits granted in May 2024 is denied as the criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The Veteran's hypertension did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, as there were no systolic pressures of 160 or more in service records and only one reading exceeded 160 during VA examinations. The Board denied an initial compensable rating for hypertension.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated as noncompensable due to the absence of a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more prior to requiring continuous medication.

The Veteran's hypertension did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as his blood pressure readings were consistently below the threshold required for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for depression, a neck condition, thyroid condition, hypertension and sleeping conditions has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal by the Veteran's representative.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension as secondary to bilateral pes planus due to insufficient VA medical opinions addressing the Veteran's contentions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for allergic rhinitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran is not presumed to have developed these conditions during his service in Afghanistan.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for service-connected hypertension is denied because his blood pressure readings do not meet the criteria for a minimum compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7101.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board found that his blood pressure readings have never met the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus type 2, bilateral leg condition, bilateral foot conditions, and visual impairment (claimed as vision loss), were denied. The Board found no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for hypertension is denied, and the claim of service connection for a lumbosacral strain (low back disability) is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension on a direct basis, finding that the Veteran's in-service herbicide agent exposure caused his current condition. The effective date is not specified as it relates to a grant of presumptive service connection under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury, illness or event that resulted in the current disability.,The issue of entitlement to service connection for left hip pain is dismissed because it was recharacterized and granted by a December 2021 rating decision. The Veteran's claim remains moot.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss (claimed as bilateral hearing loss) is denied due to the lack of evidence meeting VA disability criteria.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for all remaining disorders are inadequate and requires a new examination to determine their etiology. The Veteran's service treatment records document an auto accident in June 1980, which may be associated with his current conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were partially granted. The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension warranted a 10 percent rating, lung cancer residuals warranting a 60 percent rating, and service connection for both conditions was granted with an effective date of November 24, 2020. However, several issues remain remanded.

The Board found that the withholding of VA disability compensation benefits for 36 days of drill pay in FY 2020 was proper and denied the Veteran's appeal.

The Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus type II are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for a VA opinion considering obesity as an intermediate step between his service-connected disabilities and these conditions.