Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected skin disability, including allergic dermatitis and xerosis cutis, is confirmed. The Board also granted service connection for this condition. Other issues are remanded for further examination.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, and a neurological condition of the right upper extremity including carpal tunnel syndrome and peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's exposure to herbicides is presumed.,Service connection was also denied for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and the need for a new VA examination.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss, but denied for cervical spine DJD, hypertension, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left arm disorder, left ankle disorder, and right ankle disorder. The TBI, equilibrium disorder, and gastroesophageal reflux disease claims are also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a heart disorder and TDIU due to unresolved medical questions regarding the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, and left wrist disabilities. The claims of service connection for atrial fibrillation, hypertension, head and neck cancer, upper extremity neuropathy, and lower extremity neuropathy due to herbicide exposure are remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for a more recent VA examination to assess its current severity.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of low back strain, rhinitis, and hypertension for further development. The Veteran's service connection claims are being reviewed due to missing VA medical records and an inadequate review of his claims file.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of ischemic heart disease and hypertension, including as secondary to herbicide exposure. As a result, the cases are dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and bilateral shoulder disorders are not related to service, but has remanded for further development.

Service connection is granted for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and anemia. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service is presumed to cause these conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, which requires insulin and a restricted diet but not regulation of activities. The Board found no evidence to warrant an increase in the rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to outstanding medical records and examination needs.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension with obesity are remanded due to a lack of a VA examination, and because the nature and etiology of these conditions need further clarification.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and unspecified adjustment disorder), and coronary artery disease is granted. The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise regarding these claims, resolving all doubts in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical opinions on the nature and etiology of his hypertension and headaches. The earlier effective date claims are also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities, as well as radiculopathy, diaphoresis, hypertension, residuals of inguinal hernia, gastrointestinal disability, prostate disability, and peripheral nerve disability (claimed as peripheral neuropathy) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for arm pain (degenerative joint disease of the bilateral shoulder).

The Board has denied the petition to reopen the service connection claim for hypertension and remanded the issues of effective dates for right foot pes planus and hallux valgus. The temporary total disability rating claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left knee disability, thyroid disability, allergies, respiratory disability, sleep apnea, and hypertension have been withdrawn. The remaining claims of service connection are being remanded due to the absence of VA examination reports and outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, hypertension, COPD, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and erectile dysfunction) precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment during the period from January 12, 2007 through July 22, 2009. As a result, he was granted a TDIU for this period.