Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for hyperlipidemia, hypertension, cardiomyopathy, CAD, chronic kidney disease, and coronary artery disease due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's entire period of service in the U.S. Naval Reserve is requested.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension on a direct basis due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at the maximum available rating of 40 percent, and there is no evidence of active malignancy or renal dysfunction. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.,Erectile dysfunction is already rated at its maximum of 0 percent, with no additional impairment found. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.,Hypertension is currently rated at the minimum available rating of 10 percent and there is no evidence of diastolic or systolic pressures meeting the thresholds required for higher ratings under Code 7101. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran's prostatectomy scar, which developed into a keloid, is rated at its minimum available rating of 0 percent due to its small size (4 square centimeters). The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for valvular heart disease is granted, with hypertension being the underlying condition.,Service connection for hypertension is granted under the PACT Act.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have exposure to herbicide agents during his service, and therefore cannot be presumed to have developed diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart disability (coronary artery disease), or skin disability (basal cell carcinoma with dysplastic nevi) as a result of such exposure. As such, these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's Type II Diabetes Mellitus is granted as secondary to his service-connected hypertension. The initial rating for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) remains at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for atrial fibrillation, essential hypertension, diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, kidney disease, stroke, and heart disease due to potential exposure to firefighting foam, diesel oil, and fumes during military service. A VA medical opinion is needed to assess whether these conditions are related to toxic exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension with chronic kidney disease and PTSD have been reopened, but the right shoulder disability claim remains denied. The case is remanded to consider the PTSD claim on its merits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no medical evidence showing a nexus between his hypertension and his military service or any service-connected condition. The Board also found that there was insufficient evidence to establish secondary service connection due to PTSD.

The Board has denied service connection for right and left foot musculoskeletal disorders, tinea pedis, bruxism, allergies, hypertension, and a generalized anxiety disorder. The claims for these conditions are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension.

The Board has granted entitlement to a TDIU and basic eligibility for DEA benefits from February 22, 2021 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability and hypertension, but granted service connection for left shoulder and left knee disabilities. The claims for hypertension and right shoulder disability are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining additional VA medical opinions regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and whether PTSD is related to military service.

The Veteran's hypertension did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as there were no predominant blood pressure readings exceeding the schedular limits. The Board denied entitlement to a compensable rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial compensable rating for hypertension before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has determined that there are insufficient records to make a determination on the service connection claims for various disabilities. The Veteran's exposure history and prior service need further clarification, as well as additional medical opinions regarding peripheral artery disease and neuropathy.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypothyroidism, hypertension, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other causative factors.

The Veteran's appeal for increased SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(p) and higher rate of SMC based on the need for a higher level of aid and attendance under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(2) is denied due to lack of eligibility for compensation at the maximum rate or intermediate rate authorized.

An effective date of January 1, 2022, is granted for a 70 percent rating for PTSD with depression.,An effective date of September 17, 2022, is granted for a 60 percent rating for IHD.,No earlier effective date is granted for the award of a 20 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss.,An effective date of January 11, 2010, but no earlier, is granted for service connection for a surgical scar associated with IHD.,An effective date earlier than August 10, 2022, is denied for service connection for hypertension.