Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the claims for a compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) and an increased rating for left ulnar neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to incomplete records, inadequate examinations, and need for additional testing. The issues include stroke, heart disability secondary to hypertension, lumbar spine conditions, bilateral knee disabilities, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 20, 2014 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus has been denied.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus is also denied as his current disability picture does not warrant a higher evaluation under any diagnostic code.,The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder), a sleep disorder, and hypertension due to insufficient evidence or conflicting opinions in the record.,For the back disorder claim, additional medical opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's pre-existing condition was aggravated by military service.,For the major depressive disorder claim, additional medical opinion is needed regarding whether it was incurred in service and/or aggravated by tension headaches and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange. The claims are being reviewed again as part of a de novo process.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding insufficient evidence to support a diagnosis of hypertension during or after service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus is reopened, and hypertension is granted as secondary to PTSD. The case is remanded for a VA opinion on whether the Veteran's pre-existing pes planus was aggravated by his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and viremia due to potential exposure to herbicide agents during active service. The Veteran's service records show he was stationed aboard ships within the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against a link to active service or any other condition.,The Veteran's STRs did not document any issues with his heart or blood pressure during service. The VA examiners concluded that there was no evidence supporting a direct relationship between the current conditions and service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinus disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety).,The Board found that there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service incurrence of these conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension has worsened, and a new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease was granted. His claim for hypertension was not reopened, and his increased rating for coronary artery disease remains at 60 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with an initial rating of 50 percent effective October 30, 2018.,A separate compensable rating for diabetic nephropathy is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, allergic rhinitis, heart disease, liver disorder (abnormal liver enzymes), and gastroesophageal reflux disease were denied as secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, neurological disabilities of the lower extremities, and hypertension. The claims are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Board dismissed the appeal for bilateral hearing loss. The claims of service connection for heart disease and hypertension due to herbicide exposure were reopened, but the claim for TDIU prior to March 1, 2013 was denied.

The Board has remanded the claim for hypertension as secondary to service-connected PTSD or exposure to herbicides due to outstanding medical records not being obtained.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and hypertension have been granted. The claim for low back disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to additional relevant evidence being added to his claims file.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hypertension may be related to his in-service herbicide exposure and has ordered a VA examination to determine this relationship.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hypertension may be related to his period of service, including exposure to herbicides. However, a remand is needed to obtain an updated medical opinion considering recent NAS studies on the association between hypertension and herbicide exposure.