Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, sleep apnea, and hypertension. The claim for tinnitus remains denied as new evidence does not relate to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate it. The claim for loss of teeth is denied due to lack of a current disability characterization. The claim for hyperlipidemia is denied because it is a laboratory finding. The Board has also remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, parasitic bowel disease (now claimed as IBS), and several musculoskeletal issues. The appeals are pending due to insufficient evidence or lack of a nexus between the conditions and service.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including obtaining updated VA examinations and opinions to address the etiology of various conditions. The Veteran's service connection claims are not related to exposure to herbicide agents or the PACT Act.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for osteoarthritis of multiple joints (including bilateral ankles), spina bifida occulta, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and a cognitive disability claimed as short-term memory loss. Additional evidence is needed from SSA and VA medical records.

The Board has not been able to determine the reason for the Veteran's separation from service and needs clarification. Additionally, the AOJ must obtain his complete medical records from his time in active service, including hospitalizations due to ash and dust exposure.

The Board has granted the reopening of service connection for hypertension and remanded the issue of determining the current severity of service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's death and his hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound was denied as he is not in need of regular aid and attendance nor substantially confined to his dwelling.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted a 10% rating, effective August 26, 2003.,The Veteran's nephrolithiasis (kidney stones) does not warrant an initial compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case for a determination on whether any of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities were related to his death, which occurred due to end stage renal disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there is no direct evidence linking his current condition to his military service. The Board also found insufficient evidence to support a secondary or aggravation theory of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed for the lumbar strain issue. The hypertension claim is reopened, and a 50% rating is granted prior to March 25, 2019 for major depressive disorder. A 70% rating is granted since March 25, 2019. The right knee disability appeal remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, including hypertension.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension are all granted due to herbicide exposure during service. The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides in Thailand and has been diagnosed with these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for atrial fibrillation and hypertension due to herbicide exposure, as well as for hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus type II. The appeals are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension due to herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea, to include as secondary to hypertension, is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the onset and causation of his condition.

The Veteran's current ratings for coronary artery disease, scar, status-post boil treatment, left forearm, and PTSD are not adequate due to worsening symptoms. New examinations with updated findings should be conducted.,The Veteran has a current diagnosis of hypertension but his service records do not document the disorder. A remand is required to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding service connection for hypertension based on herbicide agent exposure.,The Veteran submitted a statement indicating that during service he had to walk through infested waters while in Vietnam and believes this caused his skin problems. A remand is necessary to provide the Veteran with an examination and to obtain an opinion addressing etiology of his claimed condition.,A claim for a TDIU is considered part of increased rating claims. Additional development has been requested with respect to the remanded PTSD, left arm scar, and heart disease claims which may generate evidence relevant to a TDIU. The matter is also remanded.,The Veteran has a current diagnosis of jungle rot in his bilateral feet. A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of this condition.

The Board denied service connection for thyroid disability, left wrist disability, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and back disability due to lack of evidence showing a current disability or link to service.,Service connection was not granted as there is no medical evidence of a chronic condition during service or within one year after separation.