Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's current condition and his active service or any service-connected disability.,The Board also denied service connection for nausea (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), concluding that there was no evidence to support a link with the Veteran's active service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability has been reopened and is granted. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim.,Service connection for COPD was not established, as there is no current diagnosis of COPD in the record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Parkinson's disease and related symptoms, have resulted in a loss of use of one lower extremity (left) due to the need for regular and constant use of assistive devices such as a wheeled walker and electronic wheelchair/scooter. This has led to a permanent and total disability rating, qualifying him for specially adapted housing benefits.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD. The issues of service connection for a lung/breathing disability and hypertension have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection is not granted as there is no clear nexus between the diagnosed conditions and military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected as it did not manifest during or within one year after his military service.,His hypertension was not service-connected because there is no evidence of onset during service and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that it is secondary to his service-connected heart disease.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete records and unclear etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, cardiovascular disorder, and TTR claims. The issues are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and erectile dysfunction claims need further examination to determine their etiology, specifically whether they are secondary to his service-connected schizophrenia.

The Veteran's service connection claims for GERD and hypertension have been remanded due to the need for further development of evidence.

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 Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral hand disability, basal cell carcinoma, thoracolumbar spine disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension.,There is no evidence of any current disabilities or symptoms related to these conditions during the pendency of the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability. The decision found that there was no evidence of direct service connection for sleep apnea, but also noted that the Veteran’s PTSD rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded several claims for service connection due to the Veteran's previous denial of these conditions in 2014 and 2016. The new claim is considered a reopening of those prior determinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development and medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient verification of alleged radiation exposure and a need for an addendum opinion on whether the Veteran's heart conditions were related to his active duty service, including possible radiation exposure.

The Veteran's death was caused by peripheral artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and hypertension. The VA did not find fault in the care provided.,VA denied claims for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and § 1318 due to lack of evidence showing negligence or unforeseeable events.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have current disability due to his claimed piriformis syndrome of the bilateral lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, hemorrhoids, bilateral hearing loss, or hypertension related to active service. The appeal is being remanded for further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board has found that an increased rating beyond this level is not warranted due to lack of evidence showing diastolic pressure over 110 or systolic pressure over 200 during the period on appeal.,For GERD, the Veteran was provided with a VA examination in November 2013. The Board has determined that a new examination is needed as the Veteran reported additional symptoms since then.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for hypertension as they need to obtain his private treatment records from Kaiser Permanente and any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; hypertension; erectile dysfunction (ED); peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities; and an acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to incomplete STRs and personnel records, as well as inadequate VA examinations. The case is being returned for further development.