Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not render him permanently and totally disabled, thus his claim for a nonservice-connected pension is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including right knee strain, left shoulder condition, low back condition, hypertension, anxiety, and depression. The decision was based on a finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim for right knee strain.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss, transient ischemic attack (TIA) with chest pain, hypertension, type II diabetes, mad cow disease, and head scars have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for arthritis due to cold weather has been denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim remains in appellate status, with a noncompensable rating prior to August 5, 2015 and a 10 percent rating as of that date. The Board found no evidence warranting an increased rating.,Service connection for hypertension, chronic bilateral leg edema, and venous insufficiency is remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, and a heart disorder due to exposure to toxic herbicides. Additional records need to be obtained, including service treatment records and private medical records. A VA examination is required to determine the etiology of any diagnosed heart disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension due to herbicide exposure. The claim for erectile dysfunction is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran did not have a chronic condition in service or within presumptive periods, and there was no evidence of continuity of symptoms. The Board also found that the current conditions are not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient analysis of the latest National Academy of Sciences (NAS) findings regarding the relationship between hypertension and herbicide exposure. The Veteran's representative argues for a new VA opinion considering the updated NAS study.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his type 2 diabetes mellitus was a contributory cause and may be presumed to have resulted from exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals on all issues related to service connection and rating determinations. The claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities, extension of a temporary total rating, and tinea unguium have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's total disability rating based on individual unemployability claim is denied, and the obstructive sleep apnea service connection issue is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was reopened due to new evidence. The claims for left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, fibromyalgia, eye disability (blurred vision), bilateral hearing loss disability, respiratory disability (COPD, lung condition with patch), sleep apnea, prostate disability, tension headaches, and acquired psychiatric disorder were all denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to uncertainty regarding the Veteran's service in Vietnam and his exposure to herbicide agents, as well as the need for a medical opinion on the relationship between his symptoms and cause of death.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disorders, as well as hypertension. The Veteran's claims were based on direct evidence rather than presumptive exposure or secondary to a pre-existing condition.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for sleep apnea, a kidney condition, a breathing condition, a heart disability, hypertension and seizures as he withdrew his appeals prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his exposure to herbicides and the possibility of a temporary duty assignment in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of residuals of an anal fissure, residuals of a hernia, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), genital herpes, Hepatitis B, hypertension, headaches, right leg disorder, left leg disorder, and vestibular disorder have been dismissed due to his withdrawal.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes, cataracts, chronic ear infections, nasal polyps, frequent colds, pneumonia, hypertension, high cholesterol, stomach ulcers, impacted bowel, enlarged prostate, and skin disorders due to potential herbicide exposure during service on the USS Ranger in the South China Sea. The case will be returned after a search of service records is conducted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of discoid lupus erythematosus was granted, but the remaining issues on appeal are remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including low back disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, right hand disability, neck disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, bilateral pes planus, erectile dysfunction, sleep-related disability (presumed to be sleep apnea), acquired psychiatric disability, heart disability, residuals of a stroke, hypertension, hiatal hernia, and gastrointestinal disability. The remand requires additional development including obtaining federal records from the Social Security Administration, scheduling an examination for the low back disability, and determining the nature and etiology of hearing loss and tinnitus.