Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 10, 2022, for the award of service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to new and relevant evidence having been received.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, which included acute myocardial infarction and other cardiovascular conditions, was caused by his preexisting heart murmur that was aggravated by service. The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and the Board has granted service connection for OSA as secondary to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance as he is capable of attending medical appointments outside his home, does not require nursing care, and has no significant impairments that necessitate regular aid and attendance.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for headaches, sleep apnea, and a back disorder. The claim for hypertension is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as due to herbicide exposure under the PACT Act. The other service connection claims are denied.,Service connection for atrophied testicle/loss of use of a creative organ, kidney disability, right knee disability, back disability, and right foot disability were all denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a thyroid disability, respiratory disability, and an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss disability rated as 30 percent prior to June 6, 2003, and as 40 percent thereafter, to include on an extraschedular basis have been dismissed.,The RO reduced the Veteran's disability rating for renal dysfunction with hypertension from 30 percent to 0 percent effective April 20, 2022. The reduction was deemed improper.

The Veteran's appeal of the rating assigned for internal hemorrhoids has been denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,Service connection claims for hypertension and coronary artery disease are remanded due to new statutory duties under the PACT Act regarding toxic exposure risk activity (TERA).,The Veteran's appeals of the ratings assigned for left ankle strain and right ankle strain have been remanded as the April 2021 examination report is inadequate.,The issue of entitlement to TDIU has been remanded due to the need for further development regarding the Veteran's unemployability.

Your claims for service connection related to back disorder, right knee disorder, right foot disorder, left foot disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) have been remanded. The Board found that the evidence is insufficient to establish a direct relationship between these conditions and your active-duty service.,The Veteran's hypertension and headaches were reopened based on new evidence showing potential links to his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to conflicting evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicidal agents while aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from June 6, 2011, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, prostate cancer residuals, and erectile dysfunction due to insufficient development regarding exposure to herbicides or service in Vietnam. The RO is instructed to make all appropriate efforts to determine if the Veteran served within 12 nautical miles of the Republic of Vietnam while serving in the Marine Corps from June 1972 to June 1976, and whether bases in Okinawa used herbicide agents.

The Veteran's death was caused by complications of cardiovascular disease, which is presumed to be due to his exposure to Agent Orange during service. The Board granted the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability, major depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were related to in-service injuries or diseases.,There was no indication of herbicide exposure, and the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II did not manifest within one year from separation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to July 8, 2022, did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and hypertension have been denied as there is no credible or competent evidence of an in-service injury, disease, or continuity of symptomatology. The Board finds that the Veteran did not suffer any left knee or leg injury during his active service.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and remanded the issue of service connection for a liver disability secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's death was caused by acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, congestive heart failure, and chronic respiratory failure. The Board granted service connection for the cause of death due to hypertension, which was a significant condition contributing to his death.

The Board has denied service connection for insomnia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hypertension, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder. Special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error and inadequate opinions. The Veteran's right ankle disorder is related to service, but secondary service connection for his right knee strain and hypertension must be considered.