Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete information about the appellant's periods of active duty and inactive duty, as well as the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient information regarding the Appellant's periods of active duty for training and inactive duty training. The claims will be reconsidered after obtaining all relevant records.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), including as secondary to the service-connected psychiatric disability, due to a lack of clarity in the VA medical opinion provided. The Veteran's attorney submitted two articles that suggest an association between sleep apnea and psychiatric disabilities, which needs further clarification.

The Board has remanded the cases for further action due to inextricability between TDIU and DEA benefits, and for consideration of a possible extraschedular TDIU rating prior to April 7, 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and hypertension, but has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and PTSD for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for schizophrenia with anxiety and hypertension due to new VA medical records being added to the file.

The Board has denied service connection for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and granted an earlier effective date of April 10, 2017, for the increased rating of Persistent Depressive Disorder. The Veteran's claims for hypertension, OSA, and diabetes mellitus are remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, prostate cancer, glaucoma, and hypertension due to herbicide exposure. The case is remanded for further consideration.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for ischemic heart disease, acquired psychiatric disability, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction have been granted. The appeal for headaches has also been granted. However, the appeals for right upper extremity neurological disability, left lower neurological disability (other than sciatica), and right lower extremity neurological disability are being remanded.

The Board has determined that the remand directives were not substantially complied with and thus another remand is warranted. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and left shoulder injury have been granted. The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete service records.,Service connection is granted for hearing loss and tinnitus, with hypertension and left shoulder injury being remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated as noncompensable, and he is granted a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable initial rating for tension headaches, service connection for muscle tension in shoulders and neck secondary to anxiety disorder, and hypertension are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right hand disability, lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, major depressive disorder, hypertension, and headache condition are all granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and an opinion regarding the service connection of sleep apnea and hypertension. Sleep apnea is related to Agent Orange exposure, while hypertension may be due to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board dismissed all claims for service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted based on new evidence submitted after the May 2008 denial.,Service connection for OSA and hypertension are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their onset in service.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent from July 8, 2009 to March 26, 2012, and in excess of 50 percent as of March 27, 2012, for anxiety disorder NOS is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the severity of his condition.,Service connection for a heart condition is remanded due to its potential impact on the hypertension claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection in several cases, including his respiratory disability, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, calcium condition, and psychiatric disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for various conditions, including a right wrist disability, allergic rhinitis, residuals of left wrist fracture, Bell's Palsy, recurrent prostatitis, and a left wrist scar. The appeals are dismissed or remanded as appropriate.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is caused or aggravated by his service-connected heart disease, and if it was exposed to herbicides in Vietnam.