Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The claim for service connection for sleep apnea is dismissed. The claim for a compensable rating for hypertension is denied.

The Veteran's requests to review his claims for service connection for chronic kidney disease and hypertension have been dismissed because the earlier request for higher-level review took precedence, as per VA regulations.

The Veteran's heart disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, right shoulder disability, back disability, and allergy disability are not service-connected. However, hypertension is granted as a result of presumed exposure to herbicide agents during active duty in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeals for ratings and effective dates have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal through his authorized representative.

The Veteran's hypertension, which requires continuous medication for control, has not been manifested by diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, or a history thereof, or systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more. As such, an initial compensable rating is denied.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected hypertension, finding that his systolic pressure predominantly exceeds 160 over the appeal period. The highest possible evaluation based on the evidence is 10 percent.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for hypertension, special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound status, service connection for a neck disability (also claimed as neck strain), and service connection for arthritis, to include osteoporosis (cervical spine) due to improper docketing in the AMA system.

The Veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The Board will consider whether his hypertension is related to Agent Orange exposure in service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension effective January 14, 2022. The Veteran's hypertension is presumed to be related to his active service due to exposure to herbicide agents during service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as presumptively related to herbicide agent exposure during his service in Vietnam, based on the PACT Act.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea, both claimed as secondary to obesity caused by inactivity due to service-connected back condition and/or service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder. The reasons are that VA treatment records suggest a possible link between the Veteran's prescription medication Abilify (for his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder) and weight gain/obesity, which may have contributed to hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds no basis to increase this rating. The issues of PTSD with depression, anxiety, and alcohol use disorder, hypertension, degenerative disc disease with sciatica, TDIU prior to May 28, 2010, and special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status are all remanded for further development.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there is no credible evidence linking the condition to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claims.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and secondary service connection to hypertension, back, and diabetes mellitus via obesity. The case is being remanded to obtain a new etiological opinion.

The Veteran's service connection claims for type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension have been granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide agent exposure. The heart disorder claim has been remanded as it may be related to the Veteran's hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Service connection for tinea versicolor, BPH, GERD, and Barrett's esophagus have all been denied.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for low back pain, hypertension, sleep apnea, and bilateral sensitive feet due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed due to the Appellant withdrawing her claims. The appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability was granted.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for sleep apnea, high blood pressure, and heart problems. The issues of service connection for a psychiatric disability, erectile dysfunction, and low back disability are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type II as there was no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents during service or a causal link between the conditions and service.