Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and back disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding exposure to herbicide agents and asbestos.,For ischemic heart disease and hypertension, the Board finds that there is a possibility of in-service exposure to herbicide agents. For the back disorder, the Veteran's claim will be considered based on his reported in-service injury.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence submitted after his appeal was certified. The issues include hypertension, thyroid disorder, larynx disorder, lung disorder, and a neurodegenerative disease (Parkinson’s disease).

The Board has dismissed the appeals for COPD with emphysema and obstructive sleep apnea. The appeals for diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of a VA examination for hypertension. The Veteran's service treatment records show elevated blood pressure readings and he reported being treated for hypertension during active service. A new VA examination is needed to determine if his current hypertension is related to his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar strain and obstructive sleep apnea have been granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. However, the Veteran's hip condition, high blood pressure (hypertension), anemia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have not met the criteria for service connection.

The Board dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not secondary to a service-connected disability.

The petition to reopen the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, and hypertension is granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is reopened due to new evidence showing he had elevated blood pressure during active service.

The Board has granted a second clothing allowance for calendar year 2016 for the use of topical creams used to treat service-connected burns on the right and left arms and hands, finding that the cocoa butter cream causes an increased rate of damage to outer garments compared to a back brace.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for post-concussive headaches, but dismissed the claims for tinnitus and scar on chest. The remaining issues have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate compliance with a previous remand directive regarding service connection for hypertension, including as due to herbicide exposure. Another remand is required.

The Veteran's hypertension appeal is dismissed. The claim for increased ratings of bilateral eye disability was denied, with the exception of a 40% rating granted as of July 6, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, respiratory disability, and bilateral hearing loss due to potential service connection issues. The Veteran is seeking service connection based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam, but the evidence does not support such a presumption.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and dizziness due to insufficient examination opinions. The Veteran's lay statements will be considered in addition to VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, sciatica of the right and left lower extremity, and osteoarthritis of the lower back secondary to service-connected conditions due to Agent Orange exposure. The issues are inextricably intertwined as they all relate to the Veteran's service-connected left knee condition.

The appeals regarding service connection for kidney disease, hypertension, entitlement to TDIU, and specially adapted housing have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has withdrawn the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, throat cancer, and lung cancer. The claim for new and material evidence to reopen service connection for depression is denied. Service connection for skin cancer is also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various lower extremity and upper extremity peripheral neuropathies, vascular diseases, and GERD due to incomplete records. The Veteran is also asked to provide authorization for VA to obtain his Social Security Administration records and any private medical records.

The Veteran's cause of death is denied as the Board found no evidence that his hypertension, stroke, or cardiorespiratory arrest were caused by service-connected conditions.