Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, which includes his intraparenchymal hemorrhage (IPH) and hypertension. As a result, the claim for nonservice-connected death pension benefits is dismissed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims on appeal, including obtaining SSA and VAMC records, providing addendum opinions regarding HTN, and assessing the current severity of his service-connected disabilities. The appeals are REMANDED.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for gastritis and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for glomerulonephritis with hypertension, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inability to obtain VA examinations because of incarceration. The RO is instructed to make reasonable attempts to arrange an examination at the prison by VHA personnel, prison medical providers at VA expense, or fee-basis providers contracted by VHA.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and the appeal for an increased rating is denied. The Board has also remanded cases involving service connection for left wrist condition, right foot condition, carpal tunnel syndrome, sinusitis, sleep apnea, and hypertension.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for various conditions due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's hypertension was not rated higher than 10 percent, as the evidence did not show diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more, or; systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more.,The Veteran's genitofemoral nerve entrapment status-post bilateral inguinal hernia repair is currently rated noncompensable. The Board found that the evidence did not show severe to complete paralysis of the ilio-inguinal nerve.,Head injury residuals (status-post skull fracture with torn dura and laceration of frontal lobe) are being remanded for further review, including consideration of TDIU benefits.,Head injury residuals (traumatic brain injury residuals), head injury residuals (cephalgia), and head injury residuals (frontal skull paresthesia) are also being remanded for further review, including consideration of TDIU benefits.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, heart disease, and hypertension due to lack of evidence or further development is needed.

The Veteran's TDIU claim period from October 28, 2011 to February 1, 2012 is moot due to the combined schedular rating of 100 percent for all disabilities. The Board denied an earlier effective date prior to August 1, 2013 as there was no factual basis to determine that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable during this period.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, cerebrovascular accident (stroke), heart disorder, and lung disorder to include COPD and emphysema have all been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service or presumed exposure to herbicides.

The Board has reopened the claims for vertigo, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, and residuals of a traumatic brain injury due to new and material evidence. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded due to inadequate notice of the upcoming VA examination. The initial rating for PTSD is also being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and other conditions were denied. The case was remanded for further development on several issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction due to in-service exposure to chemical agents. Additional development is needed to corroborate the Veteran's claimed exposures.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, hemorrhoids, a left eye disability (other than dry eye syndrome with meibomian gland dysfunction and allergic conjunctivitis), sleep apnea, fatigue, and cardiovascular disability as the evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development of the record.

The Veteran's hypertension has not been shown to meet the criteria for a higher evaluation, as his blood pressure readings have consistently been below the threshold required for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction, both claimed as secondary to type II diabetes mellitus.,Further development is needed to determine if these conditions are proximately due to or aggravated by the service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.