Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's hypertension has not been rated higher than noncompensable, and the Board finds that a TDIU prior to October 31, 2017 is warranted based on his service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for new examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is aggravated by his service-connected chronic kidney disease, and thus grants service connection for hypertension as secondary to his service-connected chronic kidney disease.

The Veteran's chronic headaches are granted as being proximately due to his service-connected sleep apnea, hypertension, and PTSD.

An initial evaluation of 50 percent for PTSD is granted, but service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD remains pending.,Service connection for hypertension as secondary to PTSD has been established.

The Veteran's service connection claim for arteriosclerotic heart disease (CAD) and coronary artery disease was denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,Service connection for hypertension due to herbicide agent exposure was granted based on the presumption applicable to Vietnam veterans.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, hypertension, and Barrett’s syndrome have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.,Barrett’s syndrome was first diagnosed in 2008, long after the Veteran's discharge from active duty. The examiner opined that it is least likely related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability, and entitlement to TDIU due to incomplete development and lack of compliance with previous directives.

The Board has determined that the criteria for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 have not been met, and the case is being remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's hypertension and its relationship to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected renal insufficiency, hypertension, and heart disease have worsened to the point where he is unable to work. The Board orders additional records be obtained and requests that an attempt be made to secure SSA records.

The Veteran's appeals seeking a TDIU rating and an increased rating for his low back disability have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of all pending claims by the Veteran’s representative.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's medications for his service-connected disabilities in relation to his hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for TDIU benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was reopened and granted. The claim for service connection for hypertension was denied.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorder, back disorder, and left knee disorder. The evidence submitted since the October 1998 rating decision is new and material, thus allowing these claims to be reopened.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that the opinions provided were inadequate and requiring a new VA examination to address the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his presumed Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam as well as whether it is aggravated by his diabetes.

The Veteran's appeals for eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing, service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of hypertension, and the Board dismissed it.

The Veteran's renal disease is granted as secondary to his service-connected hypertension. The claim for sleep apnea is denied due to lack of diagnosis during active duty and no subsequent medical records showing the condition until decades after separation. Service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus is granted as secondary to hypertension, but hearing loss and PTSD claims are not reopened.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service-connected PTSD. The case will be returned for further development, including obtaining a new VA medical opinion.