Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension on a secondary basis as there is no medical evidence to support that his hypertension is due to or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's hypertension claim was denied as his blood pressure readings did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran was granted TDIU for the period prior to May 13, 2019 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder was reopened and granted. His claims for increased ratings were denied.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension as secondary to PTSD and service connection for chest pain, but granted service connection for hearing loss.

The Veteran's application to reopen claims of service connection for gastrointestinal disability, PTSD, and hypertension has been granted. The claim for a 100% rating for schizophrenia is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his kidney transplant and service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome as secondary to his kidney condition are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional verification of his exposure to herbicide agents in Korea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, sleep apnea, GERD, and a skin disability of the feet due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations. The Veteran is requested to provide additional evidence regarding her symptoms during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA clinician regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected hypertension contributed to his death.

The Veteran's ratings for lumbar spine DJD and status post left knee meniscus with traumatic arthritis were reduced, but the Board found that actual improvement in function was not shown. The Veteran is also remanded for additional opinions regarding his hypertension and right foot disability.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's hearing loss disability and TDIU, as well as his service-connected conditions. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of an eye injury, hypertension, and a bilateral foot disorder are all denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to in-service events.,Service connection was not granted for hypertension because there is no showing of chronic disease within one year after separation from service. The Veteran's current diagnosis of hypertension was noted many years after his separation, and continuity of symptoms since service cannot be established.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions obtained in this case did not fully comply with the April 2018 remand directives. Therefore, further examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's hypertension and sleep apnea are caused or aggravated by his service-connected anxiety disorder and depressive disorder.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease, prostate disability, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disability (including depression, PTSD, and anxiety), and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims were based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents or in-service stress.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for hypertension and pulmonary hypertension, including exposure to asbestos during military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an updated medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his presumed exposure to herbicides during service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The appeals for right knee disorder, left ankle disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection. Specifically, a VA examination is needed to assess the nature and etiology of any sleep disorder, and outstanding records are requested.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, hypothyroidism, and stroke residuals due to service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. The AOJ is instructed to seek additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's service-connected DM2 or presumed exposure to herbicide agents in RVN.

The Board denied service connection for erectile dysfunction but remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension due to potential herbicide exposure.