Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's death from brain herniation and an astrocytoma did not occur during service, and the cause of death was attributed to a service-connected disability (PTSD) or other conditions. The VA medical opinion concluded that the astrocytoma was less likely than not related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a medical examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to service, secondary to his service-connected disabilities, or aggravated by them.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and diabetes were denied as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other causative factors, and the preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board vacated the denial of service connection for hypertension as it did not address the secondary theory raised by the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration due to insufficient opinions regarding service connection, exposure history, and need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension as secondary to diabetes and due to herbicide exposure, as well as the claim for erectile dysfunction. The DIC claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral pseudophakia and right eye corneal scar are granted service connection.,Weight loss is not a disability for VA compensation purposes, thus the claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral lower extremity arthritis, right knee disability, and hypertension due to potential herbicide exposure. The Veteran's hypertension claim is being remanded for a new VA medical opinion considering recent Agent Orange update.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, PTSD, and erectile dysfunction. The examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions, including whether they are related to service, particularly given the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, including as due to herbicide exposure (Agent Orange). The November 2019 VA opinion is inadequate and an addendum opinion is needed.

The Board denied service connection for a skin disability, finding no current diagnosis of the condition. The Veteran's contentions were not supported by medical evidence.,Service connection for hypertension was remanded due to insufficient examination addressing direct and presumptive service connection.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, heart disease, a psychiatric disorder, and a bilateral eye disability as the evidence does not support that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder, secondary to his service-connected tinnitus, is granted. The other issues on appeal are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension and erectile dysfunction are related to his service-connected PTSD, as well as herbicide agent exposure. The VA will provide further evaluations.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension and a skin disability due to incomplete development. Additional opinions are needed from VA examiners.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to his service-connected conditions, resulting in the dismissal of the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus. However, it denied service connection for a stomach disorder (Gastroparesis) as not related to service or service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral pes planus, hypertension, and TDIU prior to August 16, 2010 for further development. The Veteran's service connection claims for these conditions are now pending.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for osteoarthritis of multiple joints (including bilateral ankles), spina bifida occulta, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability (secondary to a service-connected foot disability), hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and cognitive disability (short-term memory loss).

The Veteran's representative argues that his hypertension is caused or aggravated by his service-connected psychiatric disorder. However, the claim has been remanded to obtain a VA examination for an opinion on the relationship between the hypertension and the service-connected psychiatric disability.