Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension as no nexus to service was established, and new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board has granted the reopening of service connection for hypertension and remanded it for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service treatment records. The Veteran and his attorney need to review these records, which were found in microfiche form in October 2018. Updated examinations are needed based on this new evidence.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of COPD due to his withdrawal. The issues of right ear hearing loss, OSA, hypertension, and PTSD remain on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since June 1, 2007. The Board has granted an effective date of June 1, 2007 for the TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if he served in Vietnam and was exposed to herbicides. The claims are being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's service connection claims for tinnitus, hypertension, and right knee disability have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.,There is no credible evidence of in-service injury or disease leading to current disabilities. The Veteran’s STRs do not show any complaints or treatment related to these conditions during service.,The Board finds that continuity of symptomatology has not been established, and the Veteran's assertions regarding onset during service are not credible given his post-service medical records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for service-connected depressive disorder is granted, and his claims for service connection for tinnitus, headaches, diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, and obstructive sleep apnea are all denied. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran's hypertension, bilateral foot condition (to include pes planus, plantar fasciitis and arthritis), toe condition, hip condition, knee condition, ankle condition, cervical spine condition, lumbar spine condition, BUE peripheral neuropathy, BLE peripheral neuropathy, sinus condition, and gout were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Veteran's bilateral foot condition is related to his period of service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete medical opinions and need for clarification regarding diagnoses and etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar spine disability, right toe injury, asthma, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), hypertension, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, affective psychosis, and adjustment disorder due to incomplete service records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and low testosterone have been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's bronchiectasis, sleep apnea, and hypertension are all remanded for further examination to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities, hypertension, GERD, and diabetes mellitus have been granted service connection. The Veteran's arthritis is remanded for further review. TDIU has also been raised.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected. The remaining claims for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, seizure disability, blood clots in left hand and leg, left knee disability, sterility, and dental disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's request for a compensable rating for his chronic sinus disorder is denied.,An earlier effective date prior to March 21, 2013, for the award of service connection for his chronic sinus condition is denied.,The Veteran’s claim for bilateral hearing loss has been remanded due to lack of current evidence and need for a new VA examination.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) remains in dispute as the Veteran's stressor claims have not been verified, but he provided additional information about his mental health symptoms.,The Veteran’s claim for service connection for acid reflux secondary to PTSD is remanded due to lack of current evidence and need for a new VA examination.,The Veteran’s claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction secondary to PTSD is remanded due to lack of current evidence and need for a new VA examination.,The Veteran’s claim for service connection for hypertension secondary to PTSD is remanded due to lack of current evidence and need for a new VA examination.,Service connection for lower back disorder remains in dispute as the Veteran has not been afforded an appropriate VA examination.,Service connection for bilateral knee disorder remains in dispute as the Veteran has not been afforded an appropriate VA examination.,The Veteran’s claim for service connection for leg cramps secondary to his lower back disorder is remanded due to lack of current evidence and need for a new VA examination.,Service connection for sleep apnea secondary to service-connected rhinitis and chronic sinus condition remains in dispute as the Veteran has not been afforded an appropriate VA examination.,The Veteran’s claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus remains in dispute as the Veteran has not been afforded an appropriate VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether it was incurred during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease due to exposure to Agent Orange is granted. The issue of service connection for hypertension, also related to exposure to Agent Orange, is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for hypertension, stomach hernia, and migraine headaches have been remanded due to the need for further development regarding her employment status.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's death, specifically whether his obesity due to service-connected left knee condition caused or contributed substantially or materially to his death.