Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines has been granted. The claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral lower extremity varicose veins remain denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and missing SSA records. The claims will be reviewed again with new evidence considered.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for hypertension was denied as his blood pressure readings have not consistently shown diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, which is required for a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to consider whether hypertension is related to exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and lack of a proper opinion regarding the relationship between hypertension and service, specifically presumed exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including sleep apnea and various hip and back disabilities. The appeals are being returned for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and remanded the issues of service connection for skin cancer and entitlement to TDIU prior to September 11, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, a GI disability, hiatal hernia, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The claims for left arm fracture, left thumb fracture, left-hand scar, and diaphoresis are denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of hypertension has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension and diabetes due to a lack of information on whether the U.S.S. Bennington was within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam during the Veteran's service.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and found that the Veteran is not entitled to a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, as his combined rating does not meet the required percentage threshold.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicide agents.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (excluding PTSD) is denied. The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis and insufficient link between the claimed in-service stressor and current symptoms.,Service connection for PTSD is denied. The Veteran did not meet all criteria, including credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor actually occurred.,Service connection for bilateral shoulder disability, cervical degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and bilateral hip disability are all denied.

The Veteran's HTN is granted as secondary to his service-connected DM-II. The polyneuropathy of the left upper extremity remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Board dismissed the claims of service connection for hypertension and irritable bowel syndrome as no proper rating decisions were issued within a year prior to the Veteran's January 2020 Notice of Disagreement (NOD).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of an increase in severity during his military service and concluding that the preexisting condition did not worsen.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of nose fracture is granted. The claim for hypertension is denied, and the claim for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) as secondary to his service-connected hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension secondary to PTSD and denied service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) as due to PTSD and hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's right knee disability is not service-connected as it did not originate in service or within one year of discharge, and is not otherwise etiologically related to service.,Service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) cannot be established as the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of GERD.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for heart disability, respiratory disability, and hypertension due to a lack of an opinion regarding their etiology.