Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's hypertension did not have its onset in service and is not related to service or presumed herbicide exposure. The Board also found no causal relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his service-connected type 2 diabetes.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's cardiovascular conditions, including hypertension, are caused by or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder. The Veteran needs a VA examination to address these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, including prior to February 12, 2016. His chronic kidney disease with hypertension is rated at 80 percent since the appeal period began.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and examinations. The Veteran's case is not ready for final decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding service connection for hypertension, including as secondary to service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) and herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's hypertension is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.,Prior to August 21, 2019, his depressive disorder was rated at 30 percent and remains denied. After August 21, 2019, he is remanded with an issue of whether a higher rating should be assigned.

The Veteran's hypertension is related to his exposure to Agent Orange during service. The Board has found that all elements of service connection for hypertension are met, and service connection is warranted.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, kidney stones, hemochromatosis, malaria, and hepatitis B.,For each condition, the decision stated there was no competent evidence that suggests it was incurred or aggravated during a period of active duty or ACDUTRA.

The Board has denied an earlier effective date for the award of a 60 percent rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, and the case is being remanded to consider the Veteran's September 2010 statement requesting an increased rating.,The Court has ordered that the VA examinations and opinions concerning hypertension and kidney cysts be reconsidered due to inadequate explanations in prior VA medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type 2, peripheral neuropathy, and hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU claim based on these conditions.

The Board has remanded the DIC claim due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for coronary artery disease and other conditions listed as significant contributing to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including for a VA examination to evaluate the severity of the Veteran's service-connected scars from an exploratory laparotomy. The issues on appeal include service connection for high cholesterol, kidney cancer, bilateral hand tremors, hypertension, sleep apnea, and gout.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's condition was not caused by ionizing radiation exposure during service and did not manifest within a year of separation.

The Board denied service connection for a renal disorder, diabetes mellitus (DM), and hypertension. The Veteran's renal disorder was not aggravated by service, DM was not incurred in service, and hypertension was not incurred in service.

The Veteran's hypertension, spondylolisthesis L5-S1, and residuals of hepatitis A for accrued benefits purposes are granted.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted on an accrued basis.,The Veteran's tinnitus is granted on an accrued basis.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further action regarding his claims of a rating in excess of 60 percent for service-connected kidney disease with hypertension and TDIU prior to September 18, 2009.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted an initial 20% disability rating, effective May 12, 2020. The TDIU claim from June 25, 2014 to November 16, 2015 is denied as the Veteran was gainfully employed prior to his last full-time employment on November 16, 2015. SMC at the housebound rate under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) from November 17, 2015 is also denied.

The Veteran's heart bypass surgery and lung condition are denied as not caused by VA treatment for a kidney stone.,VA medical opinions found no causal link between the Veteran’s additional disabilities (heart bypass surgery and lung condition) and his VA treatment for a kidney stone.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hypertension may be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, but needs further examination and opinion to determine if there is an aggravation of the condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for Peripheral Vestibular Disorder, Hypertension, Gout (swelling in the joints), Headache Disability, and Coronary Artery Disease due to inadequate examinations and insufficient rationale provided by VA examiners.