Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for strokes and hypertension due to herbicide agent exposure, as part of the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 (PACT Act).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, sick sinus syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, and essential hypertension as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee total arthroplasty. The VA is directed to obtain any outstanding service treatment records during the Veteran's Army Reserves period of service and provide additional examinations with appropriate VA examiners to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, diabetic retinopathy, and various neuropathy disorders and hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board found that the Veteran did not have any in-service endocrine, cardiovascular, or vision injury, disease, or event, and that symptoms of diabetes, hypertension, and a vision disorder were not continuous after service separation or manifested to a compensable degree within one year of service separation.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is found to be secondary to his service-connected joint disabilities. His hypertension was not shown during service or within the applicable presumptive period, and there is no evidence of a link between his current diagnosis and military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for nosebleeds and hypertension, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability or a relationship to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, diabetes mellitus type II remains at 10 percent, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are both rated at 10 percent. Service connection for hypertension was granted on a presumptive basis under the PACT Act.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, erectile dysfunction (claimed as impotence), and peripheral neuropathy in the upper and lower extremities due to a lack of evidence showing chronic symptoms during service or continuity of symptomatology after separation from active duty. The Veteran's claims were also not supported by medical opinions linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including residuals of traumatic brain injury, left shoulder osteoarthritis, bilateral ankle condition, nephrolithiasis (due to herbicide exposure), bilateral knee osteoarthritis, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, BLE sciatica, hypertension, and diverticulosis. The Veteran did not have these conditions at the time of service or within one year after discharge.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and incomplete opinions. The Veteran's hypertension is being reviewed for service connection.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as a result of the PACT Act, which presumes service connection for hypertension due to herbicide exposure.,Service connection for sleep apnea secondary to PTSD is granted. The Veteran's hypertension secondary to sleep apnea remains in dispute and will be remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for various disability ratings have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as directly related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service, and the claim is effective from the date of the decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 12, 2006 for the award of a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran had established service connection for lumbar spine and bladder conditions, but his hypertension and heart issues also impacted his ability to work. The Board found that it was not factually ascertainable that his service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment within the year prior to his January 12, 2006 claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and a bilateral leg disorder due to insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection on a direct basis or as secondary to his other conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for primary anemia has been withdrawn. The Board grants the Veteran's service connection claim for hypertension as secondary to in-service exposure to herbicide agents, with the effective date being October 1, 2026 (PACT Act). The remaining issues are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea, including considering a newly raised theory of entitlement related to obesity as an intermediate step in a causal connection.

The Board has denied service connection for G6PD deficiency, heart condition, high blood pressure, and prostate condition as there is no evidence of these conditions during active service or within one year post-service. The Veteran's current diagnoses are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service connected, and the case of sleep apnea is remanded. The PTSD rating remains in dispute.

The Board has dismissed all appeals as the Veteran died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include psychiatric disorders, hypertension, and a right shoulder condition.