Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and the need for a new VA examination. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, along with its complications such as neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities and hypertension, will be evaluated.

The Veteran's hypertension is service connected as there are medical records showing instances of high blood pressure during and after active duty, with treatment for hypertension starting in June 2011. The Board found the negative 2017 VA opinion did not apply to this analysis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions and exposure. The AOJ is instructed to investigate potential herbicide agent exposure, obtain an addendum opinion from a VA psychologist on PTSD, arrange for a VA examination to determine if CAD, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and GERD are related to service or any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has granted service connection for ulcerative colitis, but denied the claims for hypertension, adenocarcinoma of the lung, neoplasm of the kidney, and diabetic nephropathy and renal dysfunction. The Veteran's preexisting ulcerative colitis was aggravated by service.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU since May 12, 2020. The case is remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration prior to May 12, 2020.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and a lack of clarification on access to his service treatment records prior to 2001. The VA must obtain an addendum opinion from a VA clinician to address these issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing records and the need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, excluding diabetes and bilateral leg peripheral neuropathy, render him in need of regular aid and attendance. The Veteran is currently receiving SMC under Subsection (l) based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as due to exposure to herbicide agents. The claims for edema and heart condition were denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted. High blood pressure, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depressive disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety neurosis, and PTSD), coronary artery disease status post coronary artery bypass, and colon cancer are all found to be related to service or presumptively due to exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the claims of hypertension and migraine headaches due to inadequate opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's hypertension may be related to service, but the examiner must clarify if it clearly and unmistakably preexisted service or was aggravated by service. For migraine headaches, the examiner must address continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic cardiomyopathy and hypertension due to in-service elevated blood pressure readings and potential herbicide exposure. The claims are intertwined as they both relate to hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than November 14, 2014 are being remanded due to the complexity of the issues and the need for clarification from the Veteran regarding her appeals.

The Board has determined that more development is necessary for the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, high blood pressure, arthritis, and kidney and bladder stones. The Veteran's exposure to non-ionizing radiation from radar equipment during his military service will be considered as part of this process.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, kidney cancer, bladder cancer, and an acquired psychiatric disorder as the evidence did not support a finding of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete opinions regarding service connection for hypertension and chronic kidney disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development and evaluation, including obtaining additional medical opinions regarding his service-connected conditions and exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection and evaluation for the listed conditions due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Veteran's sinus tachycardia and hypertension are rated based on their individual effects, with the highest possible rating for each condition. The claim for an extraschedular rating prior to March 29, 2019 for sinus tachycardia is remanded.