Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development and medical opinions regarding his breathing disorder, acid reflux, joint pain, high blood pressure, and GI disorder.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including hip, knee, and foot disabilities, headaches, sleep apnea, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent from October 1, 2010 to January 21, 2013, for generalized anxiety disorder was denied. A disability rating of 50 percent, but no higher, from January 22, 2013 to February 7, 2019, for generalized anxiety disorder is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by service and no competent medical evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and CUE issues due to their inextricably intertwined nature with his ongoing service connection and disability rating appeals.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension due to a lack of compliance with previous remands and scheduling issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for COPD, Emphysema, Hypertension, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (claimed as secondary to emphysema and COPD), Acid Reflux, and Erectile Dysfunction due to unresolved issues regarding service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records, including those from private physicians and VA hospitals. The Board will also schedule a VA examination to determine if hypertension is related to his service-connected IHD or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for atrial flutter and hypertension, finding no nexus between these conditions and his service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's hypertension and erectile dysfunction are service-connected as secondary to his diabetes mellitus. The Veteran also receives a 60% rating for his prostate cancer residuals.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD) secondary to hypertension, and erectile dysfunction (ED) are all granted. The evidence supports the conclusion that these conditions began during service or are related to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's hypertension, which requires continuous medication for control, is granted a 10 percent disability evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation was remanded due to the lack of loss of use in either lower extremity. The effective date for increased rating Crohn's disease remains January 15, 2008.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and glaucoma, finding that there is insufficient evidence to determine if his conditions were aggravated by service. The Veteran will be scheduled for medical examinations to address these issues.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected. The initial rating for his deviated nasal septum prior to June 4, 2014 remains at noncompensable (0%). The Veteran’s left tibia disability with hardware placement and bone graft is rated at 10%.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for DM II, IHD, hypertension, ED, glaucoma, and sleep apnea have been denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or other events that could establish presumptive service connection.,Secondary service connection was not granted as the primary conditions (DM II and IHD) were also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his sleep apnea, as well as the current severity of his hypertension. The RO must obtain updated medical records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to address these issues.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding hypertension, pseudo folliculitis barbae, tinea pedis, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The remaining issues were also dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, headaches, and glaucoma. The Board found that hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service, is not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disease or injury, and is not otherwise attributable to service. Headaches were also denied as they are not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by service connected disease or injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and inadequate opinions regarding secondary service connection. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.