Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea and gout due to the need for additional treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are all granted with the exception of a separate 10% rating for hypertension which is denied as it has already been assigned.

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue and a compensable rating for hypertension. The Veteran's chronic fatigue was not found to be related to his military service, and his hypertension did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has remanded the cases of ischemic heart disease and hypertension for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his bilateral eye condition, specifically whether it is related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's bladder cancer is granted service connection as due to in-service exposure to an herbicide agent.,The Veteran's hypertension claim remains pending and requires additional development.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that the condition did not have its onset in service and was not caused by a service-connected disability.

The Board has decided the case is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current heart disability, including hypertension and ischemic heart disease, is related to his service exposure to herbicides. The VA will obtain updated medical records and provide a new opinion from a cardiologist.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a back disability and hypertension due to insufficient evidence regarding the specific periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty training (INACDUTRA) during which these conditions may have developed. The appellant's National Guard service is involved, but clarification on the relevant ACDUTRA/INACDUTRA period is needed for proper adjudication.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and ischemic heart disease are granted service connection. The Board finds the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents at Korat Air Force Base in Thailand, which is not covered by the Vietnam Era presumption, credible. However, there is no affirmative evidence to rebut the presumption for these conditions. The respiratory disability, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, and thyroid nodule are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's hypertension and headaches have been granted service connection. The right foot and ankle disability remains under review.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction as it has been granted and rendered moot. The remaining issues of service connection for hypertension, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for an acquired psychiatric disability are remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus was not related to his active service and did not manifest within one year after separation from active service.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, but it is not considered a presumptive condition. The Board found no evidence that the diabetes caused by exposure to contaminated water was related to his active service.,The Veteran's right leg amputation is not causally or etiologically related to his service-connected cellulitis and is presumed due to his diabetes mellitus, which is also presumed due to Camp Lejeune exposure. The Board found no evidence that the amputation was caused by cellulitis.,The Veteran's hypertension is not considered a presumptive condition based on exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's hypertension, lumbar spine disorder, and left knee arthritis were not found to be service-connected.,His seizure disorder was rated at 10 percent but the Board did not find it disabling enough for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to support the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating, including obtaining outstanding VA outpatient treatment records and verifying her in-service exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran also needs a VA examination to address her current disabilities.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for a left shoulder disorder, diabetes mellitus, left lower extremity disorder (neuropathy), hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. The remand requests additional opinions on whether these conditions are secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hypertension may be related to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, but needs further examination and opinion to determine if it is aggravated by this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for right knee disability is dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the issue. The Board has remanded several other issues including peripheral neuropathy, respiratory disability, sleep apnea, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, skin disability (PFB), bilateral kidney disability, hearing loss, insomnia, depression, erectile dysfunction, and eye conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) caused or aggravated his hypertension. The case must be returned for an addendum opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and residuals of a heart attack, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.