Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as a delusional disorder, on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected thoracic spine disability. The remaining issues of service connection for tendonitis of the right knee, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type II are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and thyroid disorder, finding that additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his service-connected PTSD or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and related conditions have been denied.,Service connection has also been denied for hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for high blood pressure and diabetes mellitus as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cervical spine, left shoulder, left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, lymphatic cancer of the neck, oropharyngeal or tonsil cancer, and hypertension are all remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is also required to undergo a new VA examination to evaluate his acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and insomnia).

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension and bilateral eye disability as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred during service and is granted.,There is no evidence of a current left toe disability, denial for this issue.,The Veteran does not have a current back disability, hypertension, or erectile dysfunction related to service. Denial for these issues.,The right foot condition is attributed to diabetes mellitus rather than service. Denial for this issue.,The Veteran's chest pain (heart disability) was likely due to his pre-existing GERD and not service-related. Denial for this issue.,No rating assigned as the claims are denied.,No rating assigned as the claims are denied.,No rating assigned as the claims are denied.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to a Total Disability Rating for Compensation Purposes Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's TDIU claim was previously denied, and the Board found that referral to the Director, Compensation and Pension Service, for extraschedular consideration is warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for vision loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,Service connection for a lumbar spine condition, claimed as lower back disc problem, is denied due to lack of in-service incurrence and continuity of symptomatology after discharge from active duty.,Service connection for bilateral knee pain is denied because there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease. The Veteran's statements are too vague to suggest an in-service event or injury.,Service connection for hypertension is denied as the condition did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for vision loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,Service connection for a lumbar spine condition, claimed as lower back disc problem, is denied due to lack of in-service incurrence and continuity of symptomatology after discharge from active duty.,Service connection for bilateral knee pain is denied because there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease. The Veteran's statements are too vague to suggest an in-service event or injury.,Service connection for hypertension is denied as the condition did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, PTSD rating, and TDIU due to new evidence indicating a possible association between hypertension and herbicide exposure. The Veteran needs to provide updated VA treatment records and undergo examinations to determine current disability levels.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for hypertension and left shoulder slap tear with degenerative arthritis are being remanded due to the failure of the Veteran to report for scheduled VA examinations. The Board will ensure that the Veteran is provided with appropriate notice and scheduling for future examinations.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted service connection, but the right shoulder condition appeal is dismissed as it has already been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding her eye disabilities, hypertension, vascular disease, knee conditions, and foot condition.

The Board has found that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error in failing to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations related to his hypertension, lumbar spine disability (including radiculopathy), and polyneuropathy claims. The appeals are therefore remanded for further action.

The Veteran's hypertension and sleep apnea are granted as service connected due to their onset during active duty.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed for the Veteran's left elbow, back, and left knee disabilities due to lack of compliance with recent court decisions. The ratings for hypertension and migraines have also been remanded as they were last evaluated more than six years ago.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection on all listed conditions due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service, including exposure to herbicides like Agent Orange. As a result, the claim for service connection for hypertension is granted.

The Veteran's asthma is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for vertigo, heart murmur disability, hypertension, anemia, and TDIU.