Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's hypertension is remanded for an addendum opinion to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to his service, including herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to potential service connection based on herbicide exposure during Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to a higher rating for diabetes mellitus, type II; service connection for hypertension and kidney disability. Additional development is needed as new evidence suggests possible association between hypertension and exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and the Board denied both service connection for the cause of death and non-service connected death pension benefits due to income exceeding the limit.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and for further development, including obtaining National Guard service records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and renal disease due to a lack of concrete determination regarding their etiology. A medical opinion is needed to decide if these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to separate compensable ratings for erectile dysfunction and chest pain, and service connection for sleep apnea (claimed as sarcoidosis).

The Board has identified multiple issues on appeal related to service connection for various disabilities. The AOJ must review the claims in light of all received evidence and provide a Supplemental Statement of the Case if necessary.

The Veteran's initial higher ratings for various diabetic peripheral neuropathies and prostate cancer residuals have been granted. The claim to reopen service connection for asthma has been remanded, as well as the claims for a respiratory disability and psychiatric conditions.

The claim for service connection for high cholesterol has been dismissed.,The previously denied claim for service connection for a left ankle condition is reopened, but the new evidence does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for hypertension and heart disorder, including hypertensive heart disease, due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, numbness of the left leg, and numbness of the left foot due to a lack of timely filing of the Notice of Disagreement.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and for providing a supplemental medical opinion regarding the relationship between his PTSD, hypertension, and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for stroke residuals, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral diabetic retinopathy, kidney condition, upper and lower extremity neuropathy, ischemic heart disease, and hypertension has been granted. However, the claims for these conditions are not supported by evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or other direct service connection.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology and whether it was aggravated by service or due to herbicide exposure. The claim will be reopened, but the Board cannot make a decision on the merits of the case until this information is obtained.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating of PTSD is granted. The claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and hypertension, as well as the TDIU prior to October 22, 2018 are remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding no evidence linking the condition to military service or service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction due to conflicting medical opinions and new evidence. The case is being sent back for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation and service connection for hypertension due to new evidence of a fall resulting in aid and attendance, as well as secondary service connection based on pain from his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all remaining issues on appeal, including service connection claims and rating decisions.