Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension due to herbicide exposure, as it was not adequately addressed in the previous decision. The case is now pending again with a requirement for a medical opinion on the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The hypertension claim remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not been shown to preclude substantially gainful employment, and the Board denied his claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) as a result of service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial 20 percent rating for left shoulder degenerative joint disease is granted, while his hypertension remains at a noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed hypertension is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD. The Board also finds that the Veteran's kidney disorder, bladder cancer, and erectile dysfunction are aggravated by his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected microhematuria is granted a non-compensable rating, and his hypertension is rated at 30 percent. The claim for TDIU was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was denied an initial rating in excess of 70 percent from December 20, 2017. The Board also found that the criteria for a TDIU were not met prior to July 17, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the previously denied claims. Service connection was also denied for hepatic steatosis and chronic kidney disease due to lack of a causal relationship with military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including heart disability, respiratory disability, acid reflux, migraines, hypertension, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The remand is due to incomplete records from Naval Medical Center Portsmouth during the Veteran's active duty period.

The Veteran's service connection claims are remanded due to the need for clarification on whether his hepatitis C in service could include non-A or non-B hepatitis, and if so, whether his documented symptoms of jaundice, nausea, vomiting, and liver pain combined with a positive biopsy result for hepatitis C in 1991 make it at least as likely as not that he had hepatitis C in service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and lack of compliance with previous directives. The Veteran's death is being considered, but further medical opinions are needed regarding his service-connected conditions and their relation to his cause of death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, chronic headaches, and a seizure disorder (epilepsy) have all been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service disease or injury related to these conditions.,Service connection cannot be granted as the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of current disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease, and a large artery aneurysm due to potential exposure to herbicide agents during his Vietnam-era service. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the remand of the large artery aneurysm claim.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial rating of 70 percent.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II as a result of herbicide exposure is remanded due to lack of evidence of contact with Agent Orange in the Dominican Republic.,Secondary service connection claims for various conditions are remanded due to the need to establish herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional evidence to be obtained from VA and private sources, specifically records from Dr. J.V.A., Dr. O.Y., H.M. Hospital, S.B. Healthcare System, C.M. Medical Center, and Internet Medical Group.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is remanded as the evidence does not fully address his ability to perform the physical acts required for substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension due to herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam. The lumbar spine/lower extremity disability and TDIU prior to June 25, 2013, as well as the extraschedular increased rating claim for ischemic heart disease are all remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, emphysema, heart disease, hypertension, and cerebral infarction residuals as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during service or were otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to her service-connected disabilities, finding that she is not so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and assistance from another person.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and heart disease due to a lack of proper notification regarding scheduled VA examinations. The Veteran is required to be re-examined by a VA clinician to determine the nature and etiology of his hypertension and heart disease.