HYPERTENSION

J. T. HUTCHESON · 2026 · Case ID: A26040157

MIXED

Summary

The veteran served from April 1999 to December 2024. The veteran appealed the Agency of Original Jurisdiction's (AOJ) decision regarding service connection for hypertension, a left knee surgical scar, erectile dysfunction, and an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation (SMC) for loss of use of a creative organ. The AOJ had granted service connection for all three conditions and SMC, with an effective date of January 1, 2025. The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) reviewed the evidence of record at the time of the AOJ decision. For hypertension, the Board found the veteran's symptomatology, including the need for continuous medication and blood pressure readings, most closely approximated the criteria for a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7101, and thus granted a 10 percent rating. For the left knee surgical scar, the Board found the scar was well-healed, non-tender, stable, measured 8.5 square centimeters, had no underlying soft tissue damage, and no associated functional impairment. These findings did not meet the schedular criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic code, so the claim for a compensable rating was denied. For erectile dysfunction, the Board noted the veteran reported occasional difficulty obtaining and maintaining an erection, but the condition warrants only a noncompensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7522, and thus the claim for a compensable rating was denied. Regarding the earlier effective date for SMC, the veteran advanced no specific contentions, and since service connection for erectile dysfunction was effectuated on January 1, 2025, an earlier effective date was not warranted.

Rationale

Hypertension requires continuous medication for control.; Blood pressure readings did not meet criteria for higher rating.; Symptoms most closely approximate criteria for 10% rating.

Special Benefit

EARLIER EFFECTIVE DATE; SMC

Diagnostic Code

7101

Docket No.

250118-509848

Full Decision Text

Citation Nr: A26040157
Decision Date: 04/29/26 Archive Date: 04/29/26

DOCKET NO. 250118-509848
DATE: April 29, 2026

ORDER

A rating of 10 percent, and no higher, for hypertension is granted.

A compensable rating for left knee surgical scar residuals is denied.

A compensable rating for erectile dysfunction is denied.

An effective date prior to January 1, 2025, for the award of special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ is denied.

FINDINGS OF FACT

1. Hypertension has been shown to be manifested by diastolic pressure predominantly less than 100; systolic pressure predominantly less than 160; and the need for continuous medication for control.

2. The left knee scar residuals have been shown to be manifested by no more than a well healed, non tender, and stable left knee scar measuring approximately 17.0 centimeters by 0.5 centimeters (8.5 square centimeters) with no underlying soft tissue damage; and no associated functional impairment.

3. The service-connected erectile dysfunction has been shown to be manifested by difficulty obtaining and maintaining an erection.

4. Service connection for erectile dysfunction is established effective January 1, 2025.

CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

1. The criteria for a 10 percent rating, and no higher, for hypertension have been met. 38 U.S.C. § 1155; 38 C.F.R. §§ 4.7, 4.104, Diagnostic Code 7101.

2. The criteria for a compensable rating for left knee scar residuals have not been met. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1155, 5107; 38 C.F.R. §§ 4.1, 4.3, 4.118, Diagnostic Code 7802.

3. The criteria for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction have not been met. 38 U.S.C. § 1155; 38 C.F.R. § 4.115b, Diagnostic Code 7522.

4. The criteria for an effective date prior to January 1, 2025, for the award of special monthly compensation based on the loss of use of a creative organ have not been met. 38 U.S.C. § 5110; 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.155, 3.400, 3.2500, 4.119.

REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS

The Veteran had active service from April 1999 to December 2024.

In January 2025, the Agency of Original Jurisdiction granted service connection for hypertension, a left knee surgical scar, and erectile dysfunction; and assigned noncompensable ratings for those disabilities. granted special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ; and effectuated the awards as of January 1, 2025. In January 2025, the Veteran submitted a Decision Review Request: Board Appeal (Notice of Disagreement), VA Form 10182, and elected the Direct Review docket. Therefore, the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) may only consider the evidence of record at the time of the Agency of Original Jurisdiction decision on appeal. 38 C.F.R. § 20.301. If evidence was submitted during the period after the Agency of Original Jurisdiction issued the decision, the Board did not consider it in its decision. 38 C.F.R. §§ 20.300, 20.301, 20.801. If the Veteran would like the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to consider any evidence that was submitted that the Board could not consider, the Veteran may file a Supplemental Claim, VA Form 20-0995, and submit or identify this evidence. If the evidence is new and relevant, VA will issue another decision on the claim, considering the new evidence in addition to the evidence previously considered. 38 C.F.R. § 3.2501. Specific instructions for filing a Supplemental Claim are included with this decision.

In February 2026, the Board notified the Veteran that it intended to interpret the January 2025 Decision Review Request: Board Appeal (Notice of Disagreement), VA Form 10182, as a request for review of the issues of entitlement to compensable ratings for hypertension, a left knee surgical scar, and erectile dysfunction, and an earlier effective date for the award of special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ. The Veteran was informed that "[i]f you agree with the Board's interpretation of your January 2025 Decision Review Request
the evidence previously considered. 38 C.F.R. § 3.2501. Specific instructions for filing a Supplemental Claim are included with this decision.

In February 2026, the Board notified the Veteran that it intended to interpret the January 2025 Decision Review Request: Board Appeal (Notice of Disagreement), VA Form 10182, as a request for review of the issues of entitlement to compensable ratings for hypertension, a left knee surgical scar, and erectile dysfunction, and an earlier effective date for the award of special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ. The Veteran was informed that "[i]f you agree with the Board's interpretation of your January 2025 Decision Review Request: Board Appeal (Notice of Disagreement), VA Form 10182, then you do not need to respond. A response to the Board's February 2026 notice was not subsequently received.

Increased Ratings

Disability ratings are determined by comparing the Veteran's symptomatology during the relevant period with the criteria set forth in the Schedule for Rating Disabilities. 38 U.S.C. § 1155; 38 C.F.R. Part 4.

Where there is a question as to which of two ratings shall be applied, the higher rating will be assigned if the disability picture more nearly approximates the criteria required for that rating. Otherwise, the lower rating will be assigned. 38 C.F.R. § 4.7.

In every instance where the schedule does not provide a noncompensable rating for a diagnostic code, a noncompensable rating will be assigned when the requirements for a compensable rating are not met. 38 C.F.R. § 4.31.

Rating for Hypertension

The Veteran contends that a compensable rating for the service-connected hypertension is warranted.

A 10 percent rating is warranted for hypertensive vascular disease with diastolic pressure of predominantly 100 or more; systolic pressure of predominantly 160 or more; or a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more which requires continuous medication for control. A 20 percent rating requires diastolic pressure of predominantly 110 or more or systolic pressure of predominantly 200 or more. 38 C.F.R. § 4.104, Diagnostic Code 7101.

The report of a November 2024 hypertension examination conducted for VA states that the Veteran reported taking prescribed antihypertensive medications including Telmisartan, Prazosin, and Propranolol to control the service-connected hypertension. On examination, the Veteran exhibited blood pressure readings of 132/84, 133/78, and 133/67.

The service-connected hypertension has been shown to be manifested by diastolic pressure predominantly less than 100; systolic pressure predominantly less than 160; and the need for continuous medication for control. The Board finds that the service-connected hypertension symptoms most closely approximate the criteria for a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7101. 38 C.F.R. § 4.7. In the absence of evidence of diastolic pressure of predominantly 110 or more, or systolic pressure of predominantly 200 or more during the appeal period, the Board concludes that a 10 percent rating, and no higher, for hypertension is warranted.

Rating for Left Knee Surgical Scar

The Veteran asserts that a compensable rating for the service-connected left knee surgical scar is warranted.

A 10 percent rating is warranted for a scar not involving the head, the face, or the neck that is not associated with underlying soft tissue damage with a surface area of 144 square inches (929 square centimeters) or greater. 38 C.F.R. § 4.118, Diagnostic Code 7802.

A 10 percent rating is warranted where there are one or two scars that are unstable or painful. A 20 percent rating requires that there are three or four unstable or painful scars. A 30 percent rating requires that there are five or more scars that are unstable or painful. 38 C.F.R. § 4.118, Diagnostic Code 7804.

Other scars including linear scars and other effects of scars not considered in a rating provided under Diagnostic Codes 7800 to 7804 are to be rated under an appropriate diagnostic code. 38 C.F.R. § 4.118, Diagnostic Code 7805.

The report of a November 2024 scar examination conducted for VA states that the Veteran exhibited a well healed, non tender, and stable left knee scar measuring approximately 17.0 centimeters by 0.5 centimeters (8.5 square centimeters) with no underlying soft tissue damage; and no associated functional impairment.

The service-connected eft knee scar residuals have been shown to be manifested
. § 4.118, Diagnostic Code 7804.

The service-connected eft knee scar residuals have been shown to be manifested by no more than a well healed, non tender, and stable left knee scar measuring approximately 17.0 centimeters by 0.5 centimeters (8.5 square centimeters) with no underlying soft tissue damage; and no associated functional impairment. Such findings do not warrant assignment of a compensable rating under Diagnostic Codes 7802, 7804, and 7805. The Board has considered all potentially applicable diagnostic codes. However, the service-connected left knee scar does not meet the schedular criteria for a compensable rating. Accordingly, the Board finds that a compensable rating for the left knee scar is not warranted. 38 C.F.R. §§ 4.31, 4.118, Diagnostic Codes 7802, 7804, and 7805.

Rating for Erectile Dysfunction

The Veteran asserts that a compensable rating is warranted for erectile dysfunction.

Erectile dysfunction, with or without penile deformity, warrants a noncompensable rating. 38 C.F.R. § 4.115b, Diagnostic Code 7522.

The report of a November 2024 examination conducted for VA states that the Veteran reported that he occasionally had "trouble obtaining and maintaining an erection." On examination, the Veteran exhibited no penile deformity. The Veteran was diagnosed with erectile dysfunction.

The service-connected erectile dysfunction has been shown to be manifested by difficulty obtaining and maintaining an erection. A compensable rating for erectile dysfunction is not for assignment. Accordingly, a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction is denied. 38 C.F.R. § 4.115b, Diagnostic Code 7522.

Earlier Effective Date

The Veteran asserts that an effective date prior to January 1, 2025, for the award of special monthly compensation based on the loss of use of a creative organ is warranted. He did not advance any specific contentions in support of his appeal.

Except as otherwise provided by 38 C.F.R. § 3.400, the effective date will be fixed in accordance with the date of receipt of the initial claim or date entitlement arose, whichever is later, if a claimant continuously pursues an issue by timely filing in succession any of the available review options within one year of the issuance of the decision. 38 C.F.R. § 3.2500. Unless otherwise specifically provided in Chapter 51 of Title 38 of the United States Code, the effective date of an award based on a claim for increased compensation shall be fixed in accordance with the facts found but shall not be earlier than the date of application therefor. 38 U.S.C. § 5110 (a). An award of increased compensation will be generally effective as of the date of claim or the date entitlement arose, whichever is later. An increase in disability compensation shall be effective on the earliest date as of which it is factually ascertainable that an increase in disability had occurred if an application is received within one year from that date. Otherwise, the effective date shall be the date of receipt of the claim. 38 U.S.C. § 5110 (b)(2); 38 C.F.R. § 3.400 (o).

The Veteran has advanced no specific contentions in support of assignment of an effective date prior to January 1, 2025, for the award of special monthly compensation for loss of use of a creative organ. Service connection for erectile dysfunction was effectuated on January 1, 2025. The award of special monthly compensation based on the loss of use of a creative organ is based on the award of

service connection for erectile dysfunction. Accordingly, an effective date prior to January 1, 2025, for the award of special monthly compensation based on the loss of use of a creative organ is not warranted.

J. T. HUTCHESON

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board A. Smith, Counsel

The Board's decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant
the award of special monthly compensation for loss of use of a creative organ. Service connection for erectile dysfunction was effectuated on January 1, 2025. The award of special monthly compensation based on the loss of use of a creative organ is based on the award of

J. T. HUTCHESON

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board A. Smith, Counsel

The Board's decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided. This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.

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