Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disease within one year of separation from active service and no medical opinion linking the current condition to service or service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine the current severity and manifestations of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right hand degenerative joint disease, thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease status post thoracic compression fracture, systemic hypertension, esophageal reflux and chronic gastritis, left leg neuropathy, and right leg neuropathy. The case will also be remanded to obtain VA medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of any sleep disorder, ulcerative colitis, and sinusitis/allergic rhinitis.

The Board has remanded the issues of increased ratings for diabetes, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and gastroenteritis, as well as the issue of service connection for pancreatitis. The Veteran is also being asked to provide updated VA treatment records.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hypertension may be related to service, including presumed exposure to herbicide agents. However, more evidence is needed for a final decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, and obtaining a VA opinion to determine the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension. The issues of service connection for back condition, bilateral knee condition, and hypertension remain under consideration.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied as he did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD under DSM-5.,Service connection for hypertension was denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right upper extremity neuropathy, but granted his claim for hypertension. The Veteran is already receiving a 100% disability rating due to multiple service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, right knee instability, and PTSD with insomnia disorder and major depressive disorder due to new evidence received since the last decision.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated as noncompensable, but the Board has found a 10 percent rating for service-connected hypertension is warranted.,The Veteran’s hypothyroidism secondary to radiotherapy (previously rated as Graves’ Disease) is remanded due to his contention that it has worsened since the last examination.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, right knee disability, left knee disability, loss of pigmentation, right hand disability, and left hand disability as the evidence did not support a finding that any current disabilities began during or were related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as he passed away during the appeal process.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, hypertension, and granted a 50% disability rating for bilateral pes planus. The decision found no credible evidence supporting the Veteran’s claimed stressors or diagnoses.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to August 6, 2013 is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration by VA’s Director of Compensation Service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for hypertension due to new and material evidence. The issues of service connection for chronic rhinitis as secondary to bronchial asthma and for hypertension, including as secondary to depressive disorder, are remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus and left ear hearing loss are granted service connection. Right ear hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, kidney condition, peripheral neuropathy of the hands, and feet as a result of exposure to herbicides are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his death and his military service or exposure to herbicides. The Board also found that he did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits due to lack of service-connected disability at the time of his death.

The Veteran's right knee disorder is being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disorder.,The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded because the VA examiner did not address the possible association between his service-connected hypothyroidism and his hypertension.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected hypothyroidism.

The Board has remanded four issues: service connection for a left knee disability, hypertension, sleep apnea, and a respiratory disability other than sleep apnea. The Veteran's varicose veins are the basis for these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of confirmation regarding herbicide agent exposure during service, which is necessary for determining whether hypertension was caused by such exposure.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.,Service connection is denied for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, benign prostate hyperplasia with voiding problems (prostate disability), and hypertension.