Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for mild renal insufficiency, claimed as kidney condition, on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected essential hypertension. The rating for hypertension remains at 30 percent.

The Veteran's schizophrenia and sleep apnea are granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected heart condition. Service connection for left leg arthritis, stomach condition, and hypertension is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions, including anemia, cirrhosis of the liver, lumbar spine condition, diabetes, duodenal malformation, esophageal condition, hypertension, psychiatric disorder (PTSD), retinopathy of the right eye, and thrombocytopenia are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran is requested to provide any relevant evidence not previously submitted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions due to incomplete records from the Houston VA medical center.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for hypertension and ingrown toenails are being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The VA must obtain any outstanding private treatment records, specifically from the Washington VAMC.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bifascicular block with complete atrioventricular block, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disability. The claim for TDIU is also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no competent evidence of a nexus between his current condition and service.

The Veteran's hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity are all rated at their maximum levels. The Board has determined that updated examinations are needed to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is reopened. Service connection is granted for OSA secondary to GERD. The claim for allergies is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA medical records from South Carolina VA facilities not yet associated with his case file. The AOJ is instructed to obtain and review these records, issue a new Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC), and then adjudicate the claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for mitral valve prolapse and hypertension due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The VA is required to obtain a VA examination to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's lung cancer was caused by exposure to contaminated water from Camp Lejeune or air pollutants from oil and trash fires in the Persian Gulf War. The VA needs to conduct further research and provide a medical opinion on these issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine disability (intervertebral disc disease), bilateral knee disability, sleep apnea, and prostate cancer are all denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to service.,Service treatment records do not document any complaints or treatment related to these conditions during the Veteran's active duty.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD. The Veteran's bladder condition, hearing loss, hypertension, and left hand and arm condition are all remanded for further examination and opinion. Service connection for bilateral brittle nails and a skin condition (claimed as chloracne and hair loss) due to herbicide agent exposure are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus due to exposure to chemicals during service in Greece. The Veteran must be scheduled for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine if his current diabetes is related to his service.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for high cholesterol, COPD, carotid artery disease, and hypertension due to potential in-service exposure to hazardous substances.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence suggesting a possible association between hypertension and herbicide exposure, requiring further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been granted, and an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD is also granted.

The Veteran's low back disability, sleep disability, hypertension, and headaches are not service-connected.,Ratings for residuals of cold injury to the left and right lower extremities remain at 30 percent.

The Veteran's hypertension is considered service-connected as it began during his active duty and continues to this day.