Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, diabetes mellitus, neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities, hypertension, and a chronic condition manifested by memory loss and syncope as the evidence did not establish exposure to herbicides during service or a causal relationship between these conditions and military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence regarding the relationship between hypertension and Agent Orange exposure. A new medical opinion is needed to determine if there is a link.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder disability, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to outstanding VA medical records and a need for a VA examination regarding his hypertension.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and COPD due to in-service herbicide exposure as there is insufficient competent evidence to determine if these conditions are related to such exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions (sleep apnea, PTSD, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes, residuals of left ankle fracture, hypertension, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and erectile dysfunction) cause damage to his clothing due to the use of prescribed braces. The Board granted a clothing allowance for the 2015 calendar year based on this evidence.

The Board has denied service connection for Bell's Palsy, as well as for various knee conditions, arthritis, and sprain/strain injuries. The claims are also remanded for further development regarding other issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for residuals of lung cancer, hypertension, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. Additional VA examinations are needed to clarify the nature and extent of the residuals from the Veteran’s service-connected lung cancer and to determine whether his hypertension is etiologically related to his military service or diabetes mellitus.

Service connection is granted for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease with right lower extremity radiculopathy, and degenerative changes of the sacroiliac joint.,Service connection is denied for arthritis other than arthritis of the cervical spine, lumbar spine, or sacroiliac joints, swollen joints, and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), bilateral eye disorder, and deep vein thrombosis due to inadequate medical opinions regarding causation and aggravation by service-connected diabetes.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for uterine fibroids, claimed as infertility and irregular periods due to the Veteran's withdrawal of her appeal. The other issues are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection for most of his conditions, except for a finding that tinnitus warranted at least a 10 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, but the Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure and denied service connection based on lack of in-service treatment or diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for hypertension was improper and has granted restoration of service connection. The issues of entitlement to initial compensable ratings for ovary cysts, GERD, and an increased rating for hypertension are remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be at least as likely as not due to his active duty service. His bilateral hearing loss and hypertension are denied, but he was granted service connection for bilateral hip osteoarthritis.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right ear hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder, GERD, abdominal aortic aneurysm, type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, respiratory disorders, vocal cord dysfunction, bilateral knee and shoulder disorders, lumbar spine disorder, and scars. The development includes obtaining service personnel records for the Veteran's periods of active duty and National Guard service, as well as verifying any qualifying periods of service.,The Board also notes that the Veteran has contended that his conditions are related to hazardous exposures during his period of active duty, including exposure to jet fuel and chemicals. The AOJ should attempt to verify these claims and obtain VA medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and remanded the cases of bilateral plantar fasciitis and right hip injury due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and medical opinions are inadequate for decisional purposes, and thus remanding the cases for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, which is secondary to his left knee pain, has been remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the hypertension was aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer (claimed as melanoma) is denied. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a heart condition and hypertension due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU prior to September 28, 2018 due to his service-connected disabilities. The issue of a TDIU from September 28, 2018 is dismissed as moot because the Veteran's combined schedular disability rating reached 100 percent.