Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease as secondary to hypertension. The evidence supports the conclusion that both conditions are related to active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for accrued benefits and non-service connected death pension due to issues being inextricably intertwined with other pending claims.

Service connection for fibrocystic breast disease is granted.,Service connection for trimethylaminuria is denied.

The Board partially granted the Veteran's Motion to Vacate, vacating the denial of service connection for gout, ear condition (constant pressure), hypertension, diabetes, headaches, peripheral neuropathy in both upper and lower extremities, and right ear hearing loss. The decision also denied the portion of the motion that requested vacatur of the remanded claims of tinnitus.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated as 0 percent disabling since July 4, 2015. The Board denied an initial compensable rating for hypertension because the Veteran's diastolic pressure was not predominantly 100 or more and his systolic pressure was not predominantly 160 or more during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, claimed as isolated systolic hypertension, is denied because there is no evidence of an in-service diagnosis or event related to the current condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and skin disability due to potential errors in the initial decisions, specifically regarding the need for VA examinations and opinions on the relationship between service-connected conditions and the Veteran's disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, tinnitus, restless leg syndrome, prostate condition, hypertension, and rhinitis have been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,VA examinations and a private physician's letter were considered. The VA examiners concluded that the Veteran’s disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity have been denied. The Board has also found that there is insufficient evidence to establish a current diagnosis of a chest disorder, but has remanded the case for further examination.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to incomplete development and lack of a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC). The SSOC is needed for all denied claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete opinions from VA specialists regarding whether the Veteran's kidney stones, hypertension, GERD and hiatal hernia, sinusitis, costochondritis, and DDD are related to VA treatment. The AOJ needs to obtain additional information and addenda from the provided specialists.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, and the rating for Dupuytren's contracture of the right hand is remanded. The claims for diabetes mellitus type II, glaucoma, spine disability, and hypertension are also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for hypertension was reopened, and he is now rated at 30 percent for CTS of the right wrist. He also received increased ratings for PN of the LLE and RLE sciatic nerves.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including irregular heartbeat, BPH, high cholesterol, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, kidney condition, skin condition, right hand tremors, left hand condition, knee conditions, ankle conditions, shoulder arthritis, and lower bilateral gout are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's service records do not provide clear evidence of his claimed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. Further efforts should be made to confirm this information.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension should be reopened and remanded. The other issues are also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, which is found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The decision resolves in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including service connection for various disabilities and a rating for lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's claims are pending resolution.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that it was not caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected diabetes and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, and hypertension due to potential secondary relationships with existing conditions or exposure. The Veteran's mental health condition is linked to his coronary artery disease, while his sleep apnea may be related to his psychiatric disorder.