Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the VA examinations did not fully address the Veteran's claims for service connection, and thus the case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and kidney failure have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The Board has ordered additional development, including obtaining medical records and requesting an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and TDIU due to inextricably intertwined issues. The AOJ is instructed to obtain completed VA Forms 21-8940 and 21-4192 from the Veteran and her former employer, if applicable.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his presumed exposure to herbicide agents in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, COPD, and a left eyelid disability due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The VA is requested to obtain independent medical opinions from non-VA experts in endocrinology and internal medicine.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and additional medical records. The issues of service connection for onychomycosis, bilateral pes planus, left hip labral tear with limitation of flexion, left hip labral tear with limitation of extension, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), folliculitis decalvans, and scarring alopecia, scalp scar, bilateral plantar fasciitis, hypertension, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), and left knee PFPS are all remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the severity of the Veteran's hypertension and whether she has any other disabilities associated with it, including left atrium enlargement. The Veteran should be examined to assess her symptomatology and determine if there is aggravation beyond its natural progression.

The Board has found that further evidentiary development is necessary and remands the case to ensure compliance with prior remand instructions. The Veteran's service treatment records are incomplete, and efforts must be made to obtain them.

An initial 10 percent rating for hypertension prior to October 21, 2019 is granted.,A rating in excess of 20 percent for hypertension from October 21, 2019 is denied. The Veteran's PFB claim has been remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for memory loss, headaches, and hypertension due to incomplete examinations and failure to consider in-service complaints.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with diabetes mellitus, type II presumed related to exposure to herbicide agents while in service. Hypertension and erectile dysfunction are also granted as presumptive conditions. Service connection is established for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there is no credible evidence linking it to service. The claim for service connection for hypertension is therefore denied.

The Board has found the Veteran's hypertension service connection claim granted. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for left elbow disability, left carpal tunnel syndrome, sleep disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus are remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's cardiovascular disorder, including hypertension, is related to herbicide exposure during service. The VA will need to obtain updated treatment records and arrange for a medical opinion if the Veteran served within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam.

Service connection is granted for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, right upper extremity, and left upper extremity.,Service connection is denied for ocular hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for chronic sinusitis, PTSD, cervical spine disability, low back disability, left leg disability, bilateral kidney condition, hypertension, and allergies have all been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.,There are no presumptive service connection criteria met for any of the conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected heart condition was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.,Service connection for gout, left shoulder disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and genitourinary system disability were all denied due to lack of evidence supporting these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tremors and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,Separate service connection for dysphagia is also being remanded.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA opinion to address the effects of the service-connected disabilities and any resulting impairment. The Veteran's TDIU claim will be considered after the effective date of the grant of a 100 percent evaluation for nephropathy with hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including vertigo, right and left wrist disorders, sleep disorder, right shoulder disorder, lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, actinic keratosis, nasal polyps, squamous cell carcinoma, acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder, depression, anxiety disorder), eye disorder (vitreous syneresis, floaters, panniculi), right knee disorder, left knee disorder, hernia, pulmonary hypertension, and allergic rhinitis have been denied. The claims are remanded for further development.