{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/hypertensive-heart-disease","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:19.456Z","data_as_of":{"decisions":944125,"first_year":2017,"last_year":2026,"latest_decision":"2026-04-30","cfr":"2026-10-01","m21":"2026-09-29"},"about":{"publisher":"CaseScribe AI (VA Law Explorer)","source":"Public Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions (appeals of VA decisions, not VA's first decisions), M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, 38 CFR Parts 3 and 4.","method":"Outcomes are issue-level: each condition the Board decided in a decision counts once. Decision data is extracted by AI and can contain errors. Rates describe past appeals and do not predict any claim.","disclaimer":"For research only. CaseScribe AI is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Verify figures against the source decisions and regulations.","attribution":"Cite as: VA Law Explorer, CaseScribe AI, with the page URL."},"data":{"condition":"Hypertensive heart disease","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":3072,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":14.8,"denied_pct":28.3,"remanded_pct":54.9,"granted_on_merits_pct":34.4,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":162,"granted_pct":8.6,"denied_pct":37.7,"remanded_pct":45.7},{"year":2018,"issues":306,"granted_pct":8.8,"denied_pct":39.5,"remanded_pct":46.7},{"year":2019,"issues":365,"granted_pct":12.9,"denied_pct":29.3,"remanded_pct":55.1},{"year":2020,"issues":377,"granted_pct":9.5,"denied_pct":27.6,"remanded_pct":60.5},{"year":2021,"issues":376,"granted_pct":9,"denied_pct":27.9,"remanded_pct":60.9},{"year":2022,"issues":384,"granted_pct":15.6,"denied_pct":26.3,"remanded_pct":57.3},{"year":2023,"issues":374,"granted_pct":18.7,"denied_pct":24.9,"remanded_pct":54.5},{"year":2024,"issues":337,"granted_pct":23.4,"denied_pct":22.8,"remanded_pct":53.4},{"year":2025,"issues":313,"granted_pct":19.2,"denied_pct":26.2,"remanded_pct":53.4},{"year":2026,"issues":114,"granted_pct":27.2,"denied_pct":22.8,"remanded_pct":47.4}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":66.6,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":318,"granted_pct_with":71.6,"granted_pct_without":26.9},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":1942,"granted_pct_with":31.6,"granted_pct_without":40.5},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":447,"granted_pct_with":75.3,"granted_pct_without":23},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":1421,"granted_pct_with":29.9,"granted_pct_without":38.9},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":903,"granted_pct_with":41.4,"granted_pct_without":30.8},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":141,"granted_pct_with":48.5,"granted_pct_without":33.6},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":2167,"granted_pct_with":30.7,"granted_pct_without":44.6},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":66,"granted_pct_with":52,"granted_pct_without":34},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":179,"granted_pct_with":39.5,"granted_pct_without":34}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":68},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":51},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":43},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":7},{"reason":"positive nexus opinion from va examiner","decisions":5},{"reason":"conceded herbicide exposure","decisions":5}],"denied":[{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":93},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":91},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":78},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":65},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":60},{"reason":"no continuity of symptomatology","decisions":37}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26039565","year":2026,"judge":"S.C. KREMBS","rationale":"Veteran has a current heart disability.; Veteran is service-connected for hypertension.; VA examiner opined heart condition related to hypertension."},{"case_id":"A26039359","year":2026,"judge":"COLLEEN M. GLASER-ALLEN","rationale":"VA heart examination found left ventricular hypertrophy.; Examiner opined condition was most likely caused by service-connected hypertension.; Secondary nexus established."},{"case_id":"A26039752","year":2026,"judge":"PAUL R. CASEY","rationale":"Heart murmur noted at enlistment.; Increase in severity during service.; Presumption of aggravation applied.; VA examiner's negative opinion insufficient to rebut."}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26037408","year":2026,"judge":"L. M. BARNARD","rationale":"No in-service diagnosis or cardiac abnormality found in service treatment records.; Private cardiologist opined condition is less likely than not related to service.; VA examiner opined condition is not at least as likely as not related to service.; Claim based on tobacco use is statutorily barred.;… [truncated, 57 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"A26035680","year":2026,"judge":"MARCUS N. FULTON","rationale":"Criteria for entitlement not met; Evidence persuasively weighs against service connection; No nexus to in-service immunizations"},{"case_id":"A26033109","year":2026,"judge":"L. B. CRYAN","rationale":"No evidence of inception during service; No manifestation within one-year presumptive period; No continuity of symptomatology post-service; Vague assertions of exposure insufficient for nexus or TERA exam"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}