Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining SSA records and VA examinations for various conditions.

The issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disorder, entitlement to service connection for sinus problems, entitlement to service connection for hypertension, entitlement to service connection for prostate cancer, entitlement to service connection for the residuals of a stroke, and entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss are dismissed.,The issues of entitlement to effective dates earlier than February 7, 2017 for the grants of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and the residuals of a TBI are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), residuals of a head injury (TBI), hypertension, and bruxism. The VA will schedule examinations to clarify these conditions and assess their relationship to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's applications to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence received since the February 2010 rating decision did not provide a new or material nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for rheumatoid arthritis, hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to incomplete examinations and conflicting opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension with a heart disorder, finding that there was no in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions and that continuity of symptomatology could not be established. The evidence did not show treatment for hypertension during active duty or within one year post-service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of information verifying the Veteran's location during his Vietnam-era service. The Veteran served in the Republic of Vietnam, but there is no evidence confirming this.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of in-service stressors and a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal regarding the recoupment of separation pay for various disabilities, finding that VA was required to withhold this amount from his disability compensation benefits as per law.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, CVA residuals, OSA, ED, and vascular dementia due to incomplete records and conflicting medical opinions regarding their onset in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as he does not have a current disability for VA purposes.,His hypertension claim was also denied, as his blood pressure readings did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for lung problems, hypertension, acid reflux, and kidney cancer are remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and need for medical opinions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and remanded several other claims due to additional VA treatment records being associated with the case. The new evidence includes a private medical opinion diagnosing PTSD as exacerbated by complications of surgery related to CAD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents in Vietnam, and thus remanded for a supplemental medical opinion regarding whether his hypertension is related to this exposure.

The Board has ordered a remand for further medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hypertension, including whether it is related to herbicide exposure and if it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes and anxiety.

The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable evaluations for right and left hand carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as her appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability to include simple phobia (now consolidated under major depressive disorder with PTSD and insomnia), have been dismissed. The Veteran has also been granted a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for gout, hypertension, left knee disorder, and bilateral hearing loss. The effective date of the grant of service connection for chronic sinusitis is denied as there was no prior claim filed before May 1, 2017.

The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at 0 percent for the entire rating period. The Board has remanded to obtain additional evidence related to left wrist disability, back disability, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities.

The appeal for hypertension is dismissed. The respiratory disorder, including COPD and asbestosis, secondary to asbestos exposure, is remanded.

The Veteran's asbestosis, which was manifested by pulmonary hypertension, is granted a rating of 100 percent prior to July 25, 2018.