Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD, hearing loss, hypertension, and diabetic cataracts due to insufficient evidence or further clarification from VA. The appeals are not about service connection but rather rating determinations.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and consideration, including service connection claims for various disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for chronic kidney disease, as well as several other accrued benefits claims. The cause of death issue is also inextricably intertwined with these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU. The issue of an initial compensable rating for TBI is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his prostate cancer and hypertension, as well as service connection for right knee, left knee, and back disabilities. The case is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and provide medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran’s conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart condition, and hypertension all secondary to PTSD due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal of his increased disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for hypertension has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding herbicide exposure in Thailand. The Veteran's work duties were not clearly documented as placing him near the perimeter of Udorn Air Force Base.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been reopened. However, the claim remains denied as there is no evidence that his hypertension is secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran withdrew his claims of service connection for high blood pressure, right hip disability, sleep disorder, eye disability, and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left hip disability with an earlier effective date.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, finding that they were not related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, right knee condition, and left knee condition due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type II (DM) due to their secondary nature to his service-connected psychiatric disorder and/or lumbar and cervical spine disorders with upper and lower radiculopathy. The VA examinations were inadequate in addressing these issues.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension and abdominal hernia have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and major depressive affective disorder and alcohol use disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right eye disability secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension. The decision also denied an increased rating for hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with prior remand directives and for obtaining additional medical records. The Veteran's hypertension is being reviewed again, including seeking an opinion from a VA examiner regarding its relationship to service-connected ischemic heart disease.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether hypertension is aggravated by a service-connected left shoulder disorder. The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension will be reconsidered with an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's accrued benefits claim for anxiety disorder has been granted at a 70% rating. The VA is remanding the cases of cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, and hypertension for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by presumed herbicide agent exposure during the Veteran's service in Vietnam.