Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in listing the Veteran's representative and for further development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion on the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD aggravated his hypertension, which contributed to his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability, bilateral knee disability, headaches, and hypertension due to inadequate VA examinations and new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no service connection claims were decided.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing an addendum VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of hypertension. The addendum opinion is required to address whether hypertension is related to service, specifically exposure to Agent Orange, as well as whether it is caused or aggravated by service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and hepatitis C due to a lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives, including the need for VA examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II and its related secondary conditions including hypertension, kidney disease, and bilateral peripheral neuropathies of the upper and lower extremities due to presumed exposure to herbicides during service in the territorial waters of Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various disabilities due to new evidence received after a previous denial. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed on a de novo basis and further examinations are required.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, rectal carcinoma, a back disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence did not show that these conditions were incurred in or caused by service.

The Board denied service connection for a left hip condition, right hip condition, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims were based on his contention that he developed these conditions due to injuries sustained during active duty.,The Board found no evidence of chronic diseases or disabilities in service, nor did they find any link between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea as secondary to hypertension, and restless legs syndrome as secondary to hypertension due to a lack of VA examination. The Veteran must be afforded VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to assess the current level and severity of the Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea. The issue will be readjudicated after the examination.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for hypertension and a left-hand disability, as well as the associated increased rating claims. The Board finds that these issues are dismissed due to the withdrawal.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as a result of an in-service motor vehicle accident. The cases for hypertension, gastrointestinal disorder, and lower extremity neuropathy are remanded for additional development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension and back disability, but has remanded his claim for service connection of left carpal tunnel syndrome as secondary to left wrist tendonitis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of evidence regarding the nexus between the claimed conditions and exposure to herbicide agents. The VA is required to obtain updated opinions from medical professionals.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claims for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension has been granted. The petitions to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea, secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been denied.,No new evidence or changes in the Veteran's condition were presented to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for musculoskeletal headaches and hypertension were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under DC 8100 (for migraines) or DC 7101 (for hypertension).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD, along with his request for a 100 percent rating for PTSD prior to March 28, 2011, have been granted.