Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons or bases in its March 2022 decision regarding service connection for hypertension. The CAVC found that the Board did not discuss a relevant provision contained in the M21-1 and did not provide a reason why VA was not required to provide a VA examination and opinion.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death, as they do not survive his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error in obtaining VA treatment records from Vista Imaging. The Veteran is not currently service connected for any of these conditions, and his claim for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claims.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypothyroidism, prostate cancer, and hypertension due to herbicide exposure are granted. The Board finds the Veteran exposed to herbicide agents in Korea and grants presumptive service connection for these conditions. Service connection is remanded for pituitary microadenoma, erectile dysfunction, and Alzheimer's disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been granted due to exposure to herbicides during active duty in the Blue Water Navy.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of May 31, 2022 for the grant of entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The decision found that the earliest effective date was the date of receipt of the claim, which is later than when the Veteran may have been unable to maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's hypertension was evaluated as noncompensable (0%) due to lack of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more, or a history of diastolic pressure predominantly over 100 requiring continuous medication.

The Veteran's hypertension did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as his systolic pressure was consistently below 160 and diastolic pressure was never predominantly over 100, despite some instances of elevated readings. The claim is denied.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to their jurisdiction being within the legacy system.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of right ear hearing loss, hypertension (HTN), or right total hip replacement for VA purposes. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional evidence and provide further examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a compensable rating for hypertension, and the Board has dismissed this issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including inadequate examination and missing medical records from 2002 to 2012. A new VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's hypertension is related to service or any of her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to errors in the duty to assist and need further examination and development of evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, chronic kidney disease secondary to hypertension, constipation secondary to hypertension medication, and a right eye condition due to service in Southwest Asia. The claims are being remanded for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases for the AOJ to adjudicate the claims of entitlement to an effective date prior to August 10, 2022, for the grants of service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted effective dates of May 2, 2018 for service connection on all five conditions: intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the spine, right shoulder strain, hypertension, right Achilles' tendon tear, and radiculopathy, right lower extremity.

The Veteran's bladder cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, CAD, and hypertension are all found to be at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and diabetic nephropathy with hypertension are rated. The decision includes a grant of SMC for loss of use of a creative organ but denies higher ratings for other conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and concerns about the adequacy of previous opinions. The issues include hypertension, back disability, acquired psychiatric disabilities, bilateral pes planus, right great toe disability, and erectile dysfunction.