Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and related peripheral neuropathy are granted as presumptively related to herbicide exposure in Thailand.,The Veteran's hypertension is also granted as presumptively related to herbicide exposure in Thailand. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction and voiding dysfunction, as well as his bilateral eye conditions (cataracts and diabetic retinopathy) are all secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board denied service connection for left hip disorder, right hip disorder, and hypertension.,There is no evidence of a hip disorder or hypertension in service. The Veteran's current hip disorders are not related to his knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and remand directives were not complied with, necessitating another examination for each of the service connection claims.,The Veteran's right knee disability is being examined to determine if it is related to his in-service fall and motor vehicle accident. The examiner will also consider the Veteran’s lay statements regarding these events.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension and entitlement to TDIU are remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with the April 2020 remand directives. The Board requires a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected hypertension.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity can be adjudicated.,The Veteran's hypertension may not have been related to his exposure to herbicide agents, as no VA examiner has provided an opinion on this issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service, including presumed exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange). A VA medical opinion is needed.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from June 22, 2016 to June 5, 2019 due to his service-connected disabilities. The issue of TDIU subsequent to June 5, 2019 is dismissed as moot.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, glomerulonephritis, and Wegener’s disease due to additional evidentiary development being necessary. The AOJ is instructed to obtain updated VA and private medical records related to these conditions and confirm the Veteran's periods of active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a direct relationship to service or secondary aggravation by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Board also found that the Veteran did not have hypertension during service or within one year following discharge.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and hypertension, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension clearly and unmistakably preexisted service.

Service connection is granted for hypertension and inguinal hernia. Service connection is denied for hemorrhoids.,The Veteran's hearing loss pain is remanded to determine its etiology, and the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and/or anxiety) is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and an increased rating for ischemic heart disease (coronary artery disease) were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for either condition, as there was no evidence of their onset in-service or within one year following separation from service. The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection for various conditions, including kidney condition, GERD, thyroid disease, diabetes mellitus type II, nicotine dependency, hepatitis C and its residuals, peripheral artery disease, opioid dependency, hypertension (also claimed as high blood pressure), chronic back condition as secondary to multiple myeloma, COPD, multiple myeloma, coronary artery disease (CAD), erectile dysfunction, and chronic anemia. The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's current respiratory disorder is not related to service. The cervical spine, hypertension, and gastrointestinal disorders are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to June 15, 2017 was denied as the combined rating of his service-connected conditions did not meet the criteria for an extraschedular TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, hypertension, and other conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence or clarification. The effective dates for some of his service-connected disabilities remain unresolved.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and bilateral hearing loss due to non-compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding his ability to work.

The Board has remanded four issues related to the Veteran's claims: initial compensable rating for hypertension, service connection for a respiratory disorder (claimed as asthma), service connection for residuals of a right shoulder acromioclavicular separation, and service connection for a right knee disorder. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional treatment records and provide an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's right shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion to address whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to service or secondary to his service-connected hypertension and PTSD, as well as if it is aggravated by these conditions.