Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Board dismissed the appeals for increased ratings and service connection as they were withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for obesity is dismissed. The claims of service connection for CAD, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension are granted to the extent that new evidence has been received supporting these claims. Other issues remain pending.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension as due to an undiagnosed illness, finding that the Veteran's condition did not manifest within one year of discharge and there was no evidence linking it to his military service or exposure in Southwest Asia.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type 1 and all secondary conditions claimed as related to the Veteran's diabetes. The decision found insufficient evidence of herbicide exposure or a link between diabetes and Agent Orange.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and low back disability (claimed as back pain) are not service-connected, while his bilateral knee disabilities remain under consideration due to their inextricably intertwined nature with the hip disability. The claims for these conditions are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, heart disability, and tinnitus. The hearing loss claim is remanded due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for high blood pressure and hyperlipidemia, finding that there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected kidney disease with hypertension is currently rated at 80 percent effective December 7, 2015. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether the condition markedly decreased function of kidney or other organ systems, especially cardiovascular.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for heart disease and hypertension due to new evidence added to the record, including annual examinations indicating high blood pressure during service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, unspecified depressive disorder, is granted. The issues of service connection for alcohol abuse as secondary to service-connected PTSD and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to alcohol abuse and service-connected PTSD are remanded. Service connection for hypertension due to service-connected disabilities (including diabetes mellitus) and herbicide exposure is also remanded. Service connection for a skin disorder due to herbicide exposure is remanded. The issue of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is remanded. TDIU is also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for right ankle and neck disabilities in January 1981. The Veteran's claims were not reopened as new and material evidence was not received to support the claims of right ankle and neck disabilities. Service connection for hypertension was also denied due to lack of current disability related to service.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal for service connection of hypertension, leaving only right hip and right knee disorders. The Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of issues including service connection for ganglion cyst, scars of the right wrist, vision loss, hypertension (secondary to PTSD), rating for PTSD with adjustment disorder and anxiety in excess of 50%, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for aphasia, coronary artery disease, diabetes, glaucoma, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, left lower extremity, right upper extremity, left upper extremity, peripheral vascular disease of the right lower extremity, left lower extremity, right upper extremity, and left upper extremity are all denied.,The Veteran's service connection claim for prostate cancer is also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and residuals of frostbite due to incomplete compliance with previous remand instructions regarding obtaining VA treatment records from specific facilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and active service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected. The issues of hypertension and headaches secondary to service-connected psychiatric disability are also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence being associated with his case. The RO must review this new evidence and determine if updated VA examinations or additional development are necessary for any of the disabilities on appeal.

The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left knee disability, right knee disability, right hip disability, low back disability, and hypertension are all remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, PTSD, and GERD to include as secondary to IBS and PTSD due to worsening symptoms since the last examinations. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.