Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has not yet determined if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions, including OSA, HTN, right leg arterial insufficiency, ED, renal insufficiency, diabetic retinopathy, and bilateral normal tension glaucoma, mild dry eyes, cataract of the right eye, and pseudophakia of the left eye, as secondary to service-connected diabetes. The issues concerning lumbar strain with sacroiliac pain and labyrinthitis with vestibular dysfunction are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of a right ankle disability is granted. The claims for hypertension and sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) and amyloidosis, both presumed due to herbicide exposure in Thailand. Service connection was denied for hypertension and ulcerative proctitis, as well as hyperlipidemia.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a heart disorder and right knee disorder, as well as the claim for an increased rating for hypertension. The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's hypertension, bilateral hearing loss disability, and low back disability were denied service connection. The hypertension was granted a 10% rating. Service connection for the other conditions could not be established due to lack of in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, left ankle condition, tinnitus, and hypertension, are sufficiently severe to inhibit his ability to obtain gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

An effective date of July 9, 2018 is granted for a 30 percent rating for hepatitis E with cirrhosis, portal hypertension and splenomegaly. The claim for higher ratings remains denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, including as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The claims for increased ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities have been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and headaches as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and migraine headaches were granted with effective dates of April 30, 2018. Service connection was also granted for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD.,An initial compensable disability rating (50%) for migraine headaches on an extraschedular basis is being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypothyroidism has been granted. The appeal to reopen the claim is also granted. However, the claims for an increased rating for hypertension and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus with hypertension and erectile dysfunction, as well as diabetic retinopathy, were denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 20 percent for diabetes mellitus with hypertension and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for abdominal scar, back disability, and hypertension as he was unable to attend VA examinations due to incarceration. The AOJ is instructed to make reasonable efforts to schedule new VA examinations in accordance with the VA Adjudication Procedure Manual.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of hypertension during service or within one year after service and concluding that it is less likely than not related to military service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and his appeals for service connection and ratings for various conditions are dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral pes planus.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's diagnoses and service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher evaluation is not warranted.,For issues related to peripheral neuropathy and coronary artery disease, additional evidence is needed as they are remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various knee and foot disorders, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and stroke. The Veteran is advised to cooperate with the scheduling of the requested examinations.