Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents and to obtain his complete service personnel records. The issues of service connection for various disabilities, including skin cancer, back cancer, back pain and thoracic fracture, gastroenteritis, bladder cancer, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, left hip disorder, osteoporosis, peptic ulcer, right foot vascular disorder, and sinusitis are remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, obstructive sleep apnea, and pulmonary hypertension have been granted service connection. The heart disorder claim is remanded for further examination. The numbness of upper extremities and arthritis claims are also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for tinnitus has been granted, as the Veteran had continuous symptoms since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction and hypertension are related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus grants service connection for these conditions on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertensive heart disease and hypertension do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's skin condition, including chloracne, is being remanded for a new VA medical opinion to address whether it is at least as likely as not related to service or herbicide exposure. The Veteran also has hypertension that may be related to his diabetes mellitus type II and/or psychiatric condition.,The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for an addendum medical opinion to determine if it is at least as likely as not caused by his pre-diabetes, diabetes mellitus type II, or service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and secondary service connection for arterial hypertension, finding that there is no causal relationship between his current condition and either his active duty service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for hypertension due to unclear etiology and lack of a clear link to service. The Veteran's hypertension is being requested to be evaluated again by VA medical professionals.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was not enough evidence to establish a link between his current condition and military service or a service-connected left shoulder disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between his service-connected PTSD and his diagnosed hypertension.

Service connection for diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and hypertension is granted. Service connection for a heart disability, prostate disability, erectile dysfunction, and an acquired psychiatric disability is remanded.

The Board has previously found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities may warrant SMC for aid and attendance. However, a remand is required to determine if he meets the criteria for such benefits due to his need for regular aid and assistance.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable prior to September 27, 2019, and 10 percent thereafter. The claim for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran’s painful surgical scar, status post left total knee replacement, was granted an initial 10 percent disability rating prior to October 28, 2019. The claim for a higher disability rating from that date forward is denied.,The Veteran's hypertension has not been manifested by diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more, and thus does not meet the criteria for an initial compensable disability rating.,The Veteran’s service-connected painful surgical scar was rated as noncompensable prior to October 28, 2019. The claim for a higher disability rating from that date forward is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction (ED) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed conditions, including hypertension and emphysema. The VA will obtain opinions on these issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and the unavailability of his service treatment records.

The Veteran's appeals regarding service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and residuals of stroke have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension. The Board also granted a TDIU based on his diabetes.,For kidney disability, the Board found no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that could be linked to current symptoms.

The Board has remanded the claims for a heart disability, hypertension, skin disability, and cervical disability due to service connection issues.,The Board has also remanded the claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.,

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, finding that there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after his military service. The Board also found that any relationship to service was speculative.