Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for high blood pressure and erectile dysfunction as they are related to his service-connected coronary artery disease, and possibly due to herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran needs to provide authorization for VA to obtain private treatment records from Dr. M.M., and a VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are secondary to his service-connected condition or due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's hypertension was not shown as chronic in service or within a presumptive period, did not manifest to a compensable degree within a presumptive period, and was not noted in service with attributable continuity of symptomatology. The Board determined that the evidence does not support service connection for hypertension on any theory of entitlement raised by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the disability rating for hypertension from 20 percent to 10 percent, effective May 24, 2012, was improper and has restored the original rating of 20 percent. The claims for increased ratings for hypertension, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral flat feet are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral arm and hand conditions, neck condition, sleep apnea, and high blood pressure. The Veteran's claims were not supported by current medical evidence or a link to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence, and the Veteran's claims for service connection remain pending.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including lumbar spine condition (claimed as back condition), GERD, mental disorder (claimed as depressive illness), hyperlipidemia, left and right carpal tunnel syndrome, left and right hip arthritis, bilateral knee arthritis, discoid lupus erythematosus, hypertension, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied. The Veteran's lumbar spine condition is not service connected due to lack of evidence showing it was incurred or aggravated during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, headaches, hepatitis C, and fatigue/malaise due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The claims for disabilities of the back, right shoulder, hips, knees, and ankles are inextricably intertwined with the claim for hepatitis C.

The Board denied service connection for a heart condition, including ischemic heart disease. Service connection was granted for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and a left eye disability due to potential exposure to herbicides while serving in the Republic of Vietnam. The Veteran's service records need to be reviewed to determine if he served within 12 nautical miles of the Vietnam coast.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence on whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The case will be sent back for a new opinion based on current medical literature.

The Veteran's costochondritis and headaches are granted service connection. The Veteran's tachycardia, hypertension, and gynecological disability (cervical dysplasia) are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, and diabetes mellitus, type II due to a lack of verification of Agent Orange exposure at Cherry Point, North Carolina.

Service connection for blurred vision, high blood pressure, chest pain, left foot disability, left ankle disability, right foot disability, left knee disability, heart condition, sinus condition, right hand condition, and shin bone pain have been reopened.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) has not been established.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for an addendum medical opinion considering the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NAS) Veterans and Agent Orange: Update 11 (2018).

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection and effective dates for various disabilities, including neck disability, change in color in the hands, headaches, weakness in the arm and numbness in the fingers, penetrating muscle injury, left chest, painful surgical scar, left chest, surgical scar, left chest, peripheral neuropathy, chest wall, rib fractures, status-post thoracotomy, hypertension. The issues include seeking initial ratings for certain disabilities and obtaining effective dates for service connection.

The Veteran's hypertension, carpal tunnel syndrome (left upper extremity), left elbow post-surgical scars, PTSD, right elbow disability, and right knee chondromalacia have all been denied.,No effective date has been established for any of the service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ankle injury and hypertension, as well as his claim for TDIU are remanded due to the need for new VA examinations and additional records.

Service connection for PTSD is granted.,The Veteran's left wrist disability, sleep apnea, headaches, and hypertension are remanded for further examination and analysis.

The Veteran's hypertension and BPH are remanded for additional medical opinions to determine if they are related to his service, including herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has determined that the dates of active duty and National Guard service need to be clarified before further adjudication can occur. The case is being remanded for this purpose.