Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the earlier effective date claims for all service-connected disabilities, including diabetic nephropathy with hypertension, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathies, and chronic ischemic heart disease. The appeal is related to the timing of when these conditions were granted as service connected.

The Board found that the reduction in disability rating for service-connected heart condition from 60% to 10% was improper and restored the 60% rating. The claim for a compensable rating for hypertension was denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an examination regarding the Veteran's hypertension. The claim will be reopened, but further investigation is needed as there is no opinion on whether his current condition is related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and Parkinson’s Disease due to a lack of an examination to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for left hand numbness was reopened, but the Board found no new or material evidence to support this claim. The claims for service connection for left hand carpal tunnel syndrome and hypertension were denied as there is insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for back injury, lumbar degenerative disc disease, anxiety and depression as secondary to lumbar degenerative disc disease, and hypertension has been granted.,Service connection is also being remanded for the issue of whether hypertension is secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is directly related to his military service or secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2. The examiner must provide an opinion on both causation and aggravation of the nonservice-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, and a disorder manifest by fatigue due to incomplete medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, right knee disability, and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a left knee disability due to incomplete development of evidence.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 10 percent, and his hypertension is also rated at 10 percent. The Board denied increased ratings for both conditions.

The Board has decided that service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea is granted, but the case must be remanded to obtain a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee condition. The issues of service connection for PFB, an acquired psychiatric condition (to include depression), hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.,The Veteran's chronic kidney disease is granted as secondary to his service-connected hypertension.,The claim for service connection for TBI, including headaches, has been reopened and is now considered on the merits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records.

The Board has not found substantial compliance with the previous remand directives regarding the service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, including due to herbicide agent exposure. Therefore, another remand is required.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for essential hypertension is denied as his blood pressure readings have not met the criteria for a 10% evaluation under DC 7101.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding hypertension and COPD, resulting in the dismissal of these cases.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's heart disability, hypertension, and gunshot wound residuals are related to his service in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, swelling of the lower extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to missing examination reports and insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the issues of service connection for hypertension, skin disorder (including jungle rot), cervical spine disability, right knee disability, lumbar spine disability, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, left hip disability, and right hip disability are remanded due to inadequate examinations and need further clarification.