Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability, IBS, and bilateral lower extremity sciatica. The claim for hypertension was remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that it is related to the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arterial hypertension, tinea (skin condition), and mild venous valvular insufficiency. The decision on arterial hypertension is based on lack of a nexus to service or service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. Tinea was not shown to be related to service. Service connection for venous valvular insufficiency has been remanded due to insufficient opinion regarding aggravation by service-connected diabetes.,The Veteran's claims for tinea and mild venous valvular insufficiency have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and service or service-connected conditions. The claim for arterial hypertension remains pending, with the Board finding that it was not incurred in service or related to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a seizure disorder and hypertension. The claim for a seizure disorder is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a seizure disorder, while the claim for hypertension is remanded due to potential secondary relationship with service-connected schizophrenia.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for migraines, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, urinary dysfunction, and blurred vision due to incomplete records from a private physician.

The Board has determined that the termination of TDIU, SMC, and DEA benefits was proper due to the Veteran's gainful employment after August 15, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his hypertension was dismissed because he withdrew the appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for gout, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are dismissed. The Board has also remanded the claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and hypertension due to incomplete or inadequate opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% during the period on appeal, but no higher. The claim for service connection for hypertension related to Agent Orange exposure is remanded due to lack of a VA opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient verification of his periods of active duty and inactive duty training. The issues remain in a pending state.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD, hypertension, and diabetic glaucoma due to non-compliance with prior remand directives. Additional development is required including obtaining medical records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board has also remanded several issues including PTSD, hearing loss, skin condition, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy, heart disease, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to exposure to Agent Orange while serving on the U.S.S. Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR). The AOJ is instructed to attempt to ascertain if the ship sailed within 12 nautical miles of the Republic of Vietnam during the Veteran's service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for hypertension, bilateral eye disability (refractive error), and lower back disability. The evidence received since the last final denials is new and material, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and COPD are all granted. The Veteran is also granted service connection for PTSD with depression and anxiety.

The Veteran's PTSD, hypertension, and scar on the right thigh are all granted service connection. The Board found that the Veteran engaged in a boating accident during ACDUTRA which led to his PTSD diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hypertension, including whether it is related to service-connected type II diabetes mellitus and/or diabetic nephropathy associated with type II diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal. The remaining issues have been remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and coronary artery disease due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset during service or relationship to service.