Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his service connection claims for bilateral pes planus, lower back condition, pseudofolliculitis barbae, right shoulder condition, diabetes mellitus, left shoulder condition, left-hand degenerative joint disease (DJD), hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. The appeals are remanded for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD, hypertension, and major depressive affective disorder. The case is remanded for further development including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension and kidney disease due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents, as well as secondary to a service-connected disability. The decision is pending further development.

The Board has determined that remand is necessary for proper development of the issues, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's surviving spouse was found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to her illnesses, leading to a grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) for purposes of accrued benefits.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied. The RO granted service connection for PTSD on February 9, 2018.,The Veteran's hypertension and erectile dysfunction were both rated as noncompensable under their respective diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded several claims, including those for service connection and evaluations related to various conditions. The Veteran's VA treatment records from specific time periods are requested, as well as a medical examination to assess the nature and etiology of chronic kidney disease and PTSD.

The Board has found that a compensable rating for hemorrhoids is not warranted, and the Veteran's claims of service connection for hernia disability, hypertension, and prostate cancer are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension, as well as the claim for TDIU. The Veteran's representative provided additional medical evidence in support of his hypertension claim, which was not considered by the RO. A new VA opinion is needed to address whether the Veteran's hypertension is caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes and/or CAD.

The Veteran's left knee disorder, mood disorder (secondary), hypertension, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus and stomach disorder have been denied. The issues of increased ratings for her right knee, back, right ankle and right hip conditions, as well as service connection for sciatic nerve disorder, chronic pain disorder, right lower extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy and limitation of flexion of the right thigh are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of right foot disability, heart palpitations (vascular signs), hypertension, and eczema are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board finds the VA examination inadequate and requires additional development including obtaining relevant medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability and hypertension due to inadequate opinions regarding their etiology. The claims are now pending for further review.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records of the Veteran's periods of INACDUTRA from 1973 to August 1987. The exact dates need to be verified and added to the file.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not related to herbicide exposure.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claims. The Veteran's diabetes was not shown to be related to his knee disability or military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and medical opinions regarding service connection for CVA residuals and hypertension, as secondary to PTSD and/or diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that additional examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected diabetes has aggravated his peripheral neuropathies in all extremities, and to address whether there are any other issues related to these conditions. The claims for service connection will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's heart condition, including coronary artery disease, angina, and hypertension, is being remanded for a new VA medical opinion due to the inadequacy of the previous opinion. The claim will also be reviewed for verification of DDT exposure during service in Thailand.

The Board denied service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability, hypertension, and immune thrombocytic purpura as the evidence did not support a nexus to active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disorder, hypertension, prostate disorder, acquired psychiatric disorders (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorder), and respiratory disorders (including asbestosis and COPD) have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.