Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate development, particularly regarding the Veteran's assertions of in-service back injuries and aggravation by his job.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to his active duty service, including conceded in-service exposure to herbicides. The matter will be reconsidered after these opinions are obtained.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness due to hazardous environmental exposure in the Persian Gulf was reopened, and his acquired psychiatric disorder is granted. The unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness claim remains denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for high cholesterol, left knee condition, and hypertension. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease as a result of herbicide exposure is granted. The claim for service connection for hypertension is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, alcohol dependence, diabetic nephropathy with hypertension, peripheral neuropathies, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertensive heart disease, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment as of December 24, 2011.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including cerebrovascular accident, left hip condition, right hip condition, lumbosacral spine condition, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, coronary artery disease (CAD), and hypertension. The decision also remanded several issues related to knee conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for thoracic strain and seborrheic keratosis are remanded as the VA examinations did not comply with Correia v. McDonald requirements, and additional information is needed regarding the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations. The right knee, high cholesterol, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, low back disability, circulatory system disability (other than hypertension), and psychiatric disability (other than delusional disorder) issues remain under review.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, including as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or PTSD, has been reopened. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has remanded multiple claims, including service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, acid reflux with hiatal hernia, acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD), and left shoulder disorder. The remand also includes obtaining VA medical opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's petition to reopen previously denied claims for left wrist condition, bilateral ankle tendinitis, and low back condition were granted. The petitions for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to insufficient evidence or need for additional development. The effective date of benefits is not addressed in this decision.

The Board granted service connection for low back strain with degenerative disc disease of the thoracic spine and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, mesothelioma, an abnormal heart disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sleep apnea, hypertension, metabolic syndrome to include insulin resistant disorder and/or diabetes mellitus, migraine headaches, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and depression secondary to medical condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, essential hypertension with ocular changes, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction, did not render him totally unemployable prior to May 30, 2014.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for hypertension, prostate cancer residuals, and TDIU due to cardiovascular disease and prostate cancer. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed again as new medical opinions are needed.

The Veteran's appeals regarding hypertension, kidney removal, and his depressive disorder were dismissed. The effective date for the grant of service connection for depressive disorder was not granted earlier than May 2, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case for further consideration due to issues regarding service connection for hypertension, including as due to herbicide exposure and as secondary to PTSD. The Veteran's hypertension is presumed due to his Vietnam-era service.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, allergies, bronchitis, and hypertension have been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during service or related to service. The claim for hepatitis C has been remanded due to the need for an opinion regarding herbicide exposure. The claim for acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and/or depression) has also been remanded for a separate opinion on both PTSD and depression.,The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, allergies, bronchitis, hypertension, and irritable bowel condition have all been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during service or related to service. The claim for hepatitis C due to herbicide exposure has also been remanded.

Service connection is denied for hypertension, right foot pain, and left foot pain. The Veteran's claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea remains pending. The propriety of the severance of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy must be remanded.,Obstructive sleep apnea is at least as likely as not related to or aggravated by the Veteran’s service-connected psychological disorder.