Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for heart disease and hypertension due to service-connected migraine syndrome, as well as hyperlipidemia. The Veteran's heart disease and hypertension are being reviewed by a physician reviewer to determine if they are due to or aggravated by his service-connected migraine syndrome.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and the claim for service connection for hypertension is granted.

The Veteran's cause of death, glioblastoma multiforme, was not related to service-connected conditions or exposure to ionizing radiation. The Board denied entitlement to service connection for cause of death.

The Veteran's heart disability, manifested by myxomatous mitral valve disease and mitral regurgitation, is granted. The Board also remanded the cases for service connection of a left shoulder disability, cerebrovascular accident residuals, and hypertension.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, as there are insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to service or his service-connected conditions. The same applies to the claim for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis and PTSD are found to be related to his service. However, the Veteran's hypercholesterolemia is not a disability for which VA benefits can be awarded.,Service connection has been granted for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus due to exposure in Korea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disability, both related to his service-connected bilateral knee disability. The cases are being returned for further development and clarification of the medical opinions provided.

The Veteran's PTSD and TBI with PTSD are being remanded for further development.,The Veteran seeks service connection for hypertension secondary to his PTSD. The claim is also being remanded for a VA examination.,The Veteran seeks service connection for visual impairment secondary to his TBI and/or migraines. The claim is being remanded for a VA examination.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right ear hearing loss secondary to his TBI. The claim is being remanded for a VA examination.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the inextricability of this issue with the PTSD and hypertension claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back disability, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine with left upper extremity radiculopathy, hypertension, and psychiatric disability (including PTSD, depression, and nervous disorder) due to incomplete records and need for additional information regarding stressors.

The Board has reopened the claims for right shoulder and left knee disabilities, as well as hypertension. The cases are remanded to obtain medical opinions regarding service connection.

The Board denied service connection for left knee disability, bilateral shoulder disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD), obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his active duty service, but the preponderance of evidence does not support a nexus between his hypertension and service.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the Veteran's service-connected hypertension and ventricular tachycardia paroxysmal, finding that no prior claims were made before the effective dates of October 21, 2011 (hypertension) and August 24, 2011 (ventricular tachycardia paroxysmal).

The Veteran's cause of death is related to heart disease, which is an enumerated disease related to herbicide exposure. The Board finds that further development is needed regarding the precise location of the USS Garcia during the Veteran’s service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for hypertension and a skin disorder due to potential herbicide exposure, specifically Agent Orange. The Veteran needs to provide additional medical records and undergo further examinations.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension, heart disability, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy of various extremities due to additional development being necessary. The Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange is not at issue as his ship USS Diamond Head was within territorial waters.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantial gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete or missing information.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including those related to exposure at Camp Lejeune, are remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received. The Veteran's conditions of cold injuries, cervical spine disorder, gout, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus are all being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and cerebrovascular accident (CVA) due to additional development being required based on recent VA examinations. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claims.