Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the previous remand directives and another remand is required for both left knee disability and hypertension cases.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and pseudofolliculitis barbae, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his active duty service or any period of active duty training.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations regarding these claims were inadequate and remanded for further action. The Veteran's hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, bilateral eye blindness, back disability, right hip disability, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, left ankle disability, and psychiatric disability (depression) are all being reviewed due to their inextricable connection.

The Board has remanded the claim for hypertension due to insufficient rationale in the VA medical opinion and examination. The Veteran's history of service is considered, but the examiner did not provide a clear explanation for their conclusions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diverticulitis and hypertension were denied as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active duty or were related to in-service injury or disease, including herbicide exposure.,For PTSD, the Veteran was granted a 50 percent rating but his claim for an increased rating beyond this level was denied.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted service connection, while his claims for glaucoma and vision loss are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of onset in or relation to service including as a result of presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The Board also found that there was no evidence of causation by service-connected disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic lumbar spine disorder has been reopened and remanded. The claims for left knee disability, flat feet, depressive disorder, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), right hip disability, and history of left ankle fracture are also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has also denied his claim for bilateral hearing loss and granted his claim for a head scar. The remaining issues, including arthritis of the right wrist, right shoulder rotator entrapment, bilateral foot pain, head trauma, diabetes mellitus, numbness in hands (secondary to diabetes), and hemorrhoids, have been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected heart condition, hypertension, and major depressive disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess current severity.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for renal neoplasm, bilateral renal cysts, and hypertension due to herbicide exposure. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for erectile dysfunction as secondary to hypertension.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of a stroke, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not related to his military service or VA care.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension due to inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran's exposure to commercial herbicides is not considered, and a new etiology opinion is needed regarding whether his diabetes mellitus type II is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's conditions, including CAD, hypertension, kidney/renal disorders, and eye disorders. The effective date for service connection will be determined based on the new evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disability, including as due to herbicide agent exposure, because the Veteran did not meet the criteria for presumptive or direct service connection. The evidence did not show that he served in Vietnam and was exposed to herbicides, nor could it link his current respiratory disabilities to service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes, hypertension, left ankle disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, back disorder, and lumbar radiculopathy. The Board found that the evidence is at least in equipoise that these conditions are etiologically related to active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back disability, hypertension, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy related to his back disability, prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted the TDIU rating.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and hypertension, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence to establish a link between the conditions and active duty.

The Veteran's diabetic nephropathy, to include hypertension, is rated at 100 percent since November 30, 2014. Special monthly compensation (SMC) pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) is granted from the same date.