Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service connection for hypertension is granted. The increased rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder and the TDIU from September 4, 2015 to September 20, 2017 are granted. A disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is denied. Special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate is granted. The service connection for a headache disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, recurrent strain with rotator cuff tendonitis of the left shoulder, tinnitus, right shoulder disability, back disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depression) have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen these claims.,The Veteran's claim for headaches secondary to service-connected degenerative changes of the cervical spine with cervical muscle strain has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to herbicide exposure and active service. The VA needs to provide an updated opinion considering recent NAS findings.

The Veteran's hypertension is not rated higher than 10 percent, and his migraine headaches and right ankle disorder are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic kidney disease, hypertension, nodular basal cell carcinoma left chest cancer, and residuals of a stroke associated with in-service exposure to ionizing radiation are denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection due to lack of medical nexus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, right ankle disorder, eye condition, and stomach and esophageal condition due to the need for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and diabetes, finding that there was no evidence of a relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has vacated the December 2017 decision and remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension due to a failure to provide proper notice of an additional hearing opportunity. The appeal is now on remand.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for recognition as a helpless child of her deceased father due to lack of evidence showing she was permanently incapable of self-support prior to age 18.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there is no evidence linking the appellant's current diagnosis of hypertension to her period of active duty training in 1981.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a request for substitution of claimant by the surviving spouse. The decision is pending further action regarding eligibility and status as a substituted party.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, finding no evidence linking these conditions to service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, bilateral ankle disabilities, pes planus, hypertension, and chronic fatigue syndrome as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that there are new and material issues related to the Veteran's claims for increased ratings, propriety of a ratings reduction, and TDIU. The VA must obtain any outstanding treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records before these matters can be further adjudicated.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has decided to remand the issues of entitlement to service connection for breathing disability (now characterized as sleep apnea), heart disability, hypertension, and liver disability due to outstanding VA treatment records that may contain relevant diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence supporting the Veteran's claim that his hypertension is related to service, including presumed herbicide exposure and in-service treatment for malaria. Additional development is needed.

The Board has determined that the VA examination provided is inadequate and remands for a new examination to assess whether the Veteran's hypertension was caused by his military service, whether it first manifested within one year of separation from active duty, and if any service-connected disabilities worsened his condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service or his diabetes, and because VA treatment records have not been obtained.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, COPD, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected conditions. The VA examiners found no causal relationship between these disabilities and the service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for CIDP, including bilateral upper and lower extremities, was granted. The request to reopen his hypertension claim is remanded. His claims for right lung or diaphragm paralysis secondary to CIDP, erectile dysfunction, and enlarged prostate are also remanded.