Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's hypertension and spindle cell neoplasm with features of dermatofibroma sarcoma protuberans are being remanded for further evaluation due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for a new examination.

Your claims for service connection and earlier effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence on file to decide whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service, exposure to Agent Orange, or a service-connected condition. The Veteran was prescribed statins for his coronary artery disease and may have also been exposed to Agent Orange during service in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's left ring finger disability and hypertension are being remanded for further evaluation. The low back disability is also being remanded, but the service connection for hypertension requires a new VA opinion.

This decision denies earlier effective dates for service connection for hypertension, a 70% rating for PTSD and major depression, TDIU benefits, and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) due to the lack of factual ascertainability or other valid legal basis.,The Veteran's claim for hypertension was granted on July 28, 2011, which corresponds with his separation date. The effective date is not earlier than this date as it is factually ascertainable that the disability arose prior to this date.

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for sleep apnea, service connection for hypertension, and an increased rating for residuals of a transverse fracture with angulation of the distal ends of the right radius and ulna with traumatic arthritis. The Veteran's claims are pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and renal disease as secondary to a service-connected disability due to insufficient examination findings. The examiner must provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran’s hypertension was proximately caused or aggravated by his PTSD and diabetes mellitus.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is denied. The claims for hypertension and bladder cancer are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection, including reopening of claims for various conditions. The Veteran's PTSD is also being evaluated further.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and remanded the claims of service connection for a skin disability (diagnosed as dry skin), headaches, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has decided that the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder, and hypertension secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder need further examination and opinion. The Veteran's testimony during his June 2018 hearing indicated he was seeking service connection for these conditions as secondary to his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of a respiratory disorder (asbestosis) due to his withdrawal. The issues of service connection for hypertension and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding in-service petroleum exposure and its impact on the Veteran's health. The Veteran is requested to undergo examinations by an appropriate clinician to determine the nature and etiology of any respiratory disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including consideration of whether an extraschedular TDIU is warranted prior to December 28, 2010.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private hospital during his non-emergency treatment were approved by VA, as he was not stabilized for transfer to a VA facility and refused such transfer.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that an initial compensable rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's cluster headaches are currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable evaluation is not warranted based on the evidence of record.,The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable evaluation is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's hypertension is not rated higher than noncompensable.,Her bilateral tarsal tunnel syndrome, status-post surgery with release, does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.,Her left tarsal tunnel syndrome also does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's eligibility for financial assistance for an automobile or adaptive equipment is denied.,The issue regarding loss of use of the right foot has been referred to the RO.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various arthritic conditions, hypertension, diverticulitis, and diabetes mellitus type II due to outstanding treatment records and inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for right foot plantar fasciitis, right ankle disorder, bilateral knee disorder, benign prostatic hyperplasia and hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorder, erectile dysfunction (ED), left foot plantar fasciitis, bilateral onychomycosis, eye disorder, left ankle disorder, back disorder, and tinnitus have all been denied. The appeals were based on direct service connection.