Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to missing service treatment records and incomplete private medical records. The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability may be related to his head injuries, but the STRs do not provide details on these incidents or subsequent treatment. The effective date of a higher evaluation for his lumbar spine disability is also remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether his current condition is related to active military service.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted service connection, while his hypertension is denied an initial compensable rating.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The claims for PTSD, hypertension, and heart condition are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, ear disability, glaucoma, respiratory disorder, hypertension, upper intestinal disorder (GERD), erectile dysfunction, left great toenail paronychia, gout, right foot disability, skin disability, LUE neuropathy with pain, RUE neuropathy with pain, LLE neuropathy with pain, and RLE neuropathy with pain due to outstanding evidence that may be relevant to the claims.

The Board has remanded the cases of sleep apnea and hypertension for further development due to new evidence and updated studies.

The Veteran's service records show he was hospitalized for a fever of undetermined origin in 1969. He also had complaints of hearing loss, eye issues, hypertension, and neurological symptoms such as ataxia and neuropathy during his service and after discharge. The Board has ordered additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking his conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for hypertension was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a relationship between the Veteran’s hypertension and either his period of active service or any service-connected disability.,The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for myalgia (claimed as bilateral leg pain) was also denied. The Board determined that the evidence did not show a link between the Veteran’s myalgia and his service-connected pes planus.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete processing. The Veteran's defective hearing and hypertension service connection claims are not ready for review.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, heart disease, and bilateral hammer toes due to the need for VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service, including his exposure to herbicides, and whether it was caused or permanently aggravated by his service-connected ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an eye disability has been withdrawn. The issue of a compensable rating for Lyme disease is denied, and the case is remanded to determine if ocular hypertension is related to the service-connected Lyme disease residuals.,Two issues are currently pending: one regarding increased ratings for right knee disabilities (including limitation of flexion and meniscus tear) and another concerning service connection for ocular hypertension. Both issues have been remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen her previously denied claims for service connection of allergic rhinitis, supraventricular arrhythmias, and hypertension. The claim for tinnitus was also denied as it had already reached its maximum schedular rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lacunar brain infarct condition and granted initial ratings of 30 percent for right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome and 20 percent for left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome prior to March 22, 2011. The claim for cardiovascular disorder (other than arterial hypertension) was remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its relationship to service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claims for erectile dysfunction and renal dysfunction were also remanded as the VA examiners did not address whether they are secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's right and left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome have been rated based on moderate incomplete paralysis, resulting in a 30 percent rating for each hand prior to March 22, 2011. The Board denied the request for higher ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left hip disorders have been remanded due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA examination.,Service connection is granted for obesity, hypertension (HTN), and diabetes mellitus (DM).

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and is remanding the issue of service connection for hypertension due to its potential link to the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and related complications are found to have contributed materially in producing or accelerating his death from a left middle cerebral artery stroke. Service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of scars of the chin and neck, left knee disorder, and hypertension. The restoration of a 20 percent rating for peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity is granted.

The Veteran's malaria is inactive and does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran’s bilateral foot condition may have worsened since the last VA examination. An updated VA skin examination should be provided.,The Board has conceded herbicide exposure in service, but remands to obtain a VA opinion on whether hypertension is related to service and/or herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's hepatitis claim requires additional information or an examination due to his assertions of potential exposure during service.