Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension and a disability of multiple joints, including hands, shoulders, knees, hips, and fingers. The Veteran's representative raised the theory that his joint disabilities are part of a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness (MUCMI).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and left lower extremity neuropathy as there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease, including exposure to herbicide agents. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet his burden to establish a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board found that it does not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the claims for ischemic heart disease and the cause of death due to a lack of VA treatment records from November 2006 to December 2009. A new medical opinion is needed regarding whether service-connected diabetes mellitus substantially or materially contributed to the Veteran's cause of death, if chronic atrial fibrillation was caused by service (including exposure to herbicide agents), and if hypertension was caused by service (including exposure to herbicide agents).

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claims for pelvic floor dysfunction, low back disorder, and hypertension are not granted. The case is being sent back to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds no evidence of total social and occupational impairment. The issues of service connection for various conditions are remanded due to lack of definitive medical records.

The Veteran's tinnitus is rated at the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss has been granted, with a current rating of 10 percent.,Hypertension was not incurred in service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.,Low back disability was not incurred in service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.,Cervical spine disability was not incurred in service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.,Arthritis of the bilateral lower extremities was not incurred in service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.,Peripheral neuropathy of the right leg was not incurred in service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.,Peripheral neuropathy of the left leg was not incurred in service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.,An acquired psychiatric disability to include major depressive disorder is not related to an in-service injury, disease, or event.,Restless leg syndrome of the right leg is not related to an in-service injury, disease, or event.,Restless leg syndrome of the left leg is not related to an in-service injury, disease, or event.,Right hip disability was not incurred in service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at a 10 percent disability rating, as her diastolic pressure was predominantly 100 or more and she required continuous medication for control.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate February 2017 medical opinion and a need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's hypertension and lumbosacral strain claims are being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination for her lumbosacral strain.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims, including for service connection for various disorders. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted, but his claims for bursitis, back disorder, and hypertension are remanded due to the need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The decision on service connection remains unchanged.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C. The Veteran's claims for other conditions are remanded due to the need for further medical examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU were dismissed due to withdrawal of appeal. The issues of headaches and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to hypertension, which is not a presumptive condition but was found related to herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of his service connection claims, including those related to hypertension, bilateral glaucoma, left ear disorder (residuals of left eardrum rupture), and a left middle finger disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, ischemic heart disease (IHD), and diabetes mellitus type II (DMII) based on exposure to herbicide agents. The appeals were not granted as there was no in-service diagnosis or evidence of a nexus between the conditions and military service.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine if there is a nexus between the onset of the Veteran's polycystic kidney disease with hypertension and service. The Veteran’s claims are being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination.