Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to perform the basic functions of self-care and are as helpless due to his service-connected conditions, necessitating regular aid and attendance.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for further action on the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death, including obtaining missing medical records and providing a medical opinion regarding the etiology of hypertension and metastatic nasopharyngeal cancer.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral open angle glaucoma, hypertension, and headaches due to inadequate medical opinions in the May 2013 VA examination report. The new examinations are needed to address whether these conditions may be caused or aggravated by corticosteroid treatments for service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that additional evidence of complications from the condition may warrant a higher rating and remands for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. However, the issue of entitlement to service connection for hypertension is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and evaluation, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's conditions and presumed exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for prostate cancer residuals, renal cell carcinoma, and hypertension. The claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of left hand condition, right hand condition, hypertension, diabetes, and left leg condition are dismissed. The claim for reopening of a low back condition is remanded.

The Veteran's Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are not related to service.,There is no evidence of hypertension or prostate cancer during the claims period.,The Veteran did not have a total disability rating for any reason, including due to his service-connected disabilities.,SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status is denied as there were no service-connected disabilities at issue.,The cause of death (senile degeneration of the brain) was not related to service-connected conditions.,DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is denied due to lack of entitlement based on service-connected disability.,Nonservice-connected pension benefits are denied as there was no qualifying wartime service.,Nonservice-connected death pension benefits are also denied due to lack of qualifying wartime service.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension was denied, and the Board found that an effective date prior to November 1, 2016 is not warranted.,Some of the Veteran’s claims were remanded due to insufficient evidence or need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for hypertension. The initial rating for back disability remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the current severity of his service-connected conditions, as well as whether he has other disabilities that are related to or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate these claims due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, both linked to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's atherosclerosis of abdominal aorta is not rated as compensable due to lack of symptoms warranting such rating.,Service connection for left and right ankle tendonitis was denied as there is no evidence linking the conditions to service.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder is rated at 70 percent, and the issues of service connection for liver disability and hypertension are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine and left knee disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected pes planus disability, sleep apnea syndrome, and hypertension. All conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to the Veteran's failure to appear for VA examinations. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability, and hypertension are being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection of various conditions, including coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type II with complications such as cataracts, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy. The effective date was fixed at July 27, 2014.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and consideration, as there is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's hypertension was related to his presumed herbicide exposure during service.