Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The appeal is denied as the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions were not timely filed, and the issues are dismissed or denied.

The Board has denied higher initial ratings for coronary artery disease and hypertension, but has remanded the case to consider a claim for total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be related to his service in Vietnam and exposure to Agent Orange, thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that his death was caused by renal cell carcinoma, which is not presumed to be related to herbicide exposure. The primary causes of death were dementia and pneumonia.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, bilateral hip disorder, lumbar spine disorder, hypertension, and bilateral pes planus as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis with plantar calcaneal.

The Board has determined that the appellant is entitled to reimbursement of $7,392.00 for expenses incurred during her surviving spouse's last sickness and burial.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability, cervical spine disability with left upper extremity radiculopathy, hypertension, and psychiatric disability due to outstanding inpatient/clinical records from March 1976 to May 1977 at Orlando Naval Hospital. The VA is instructed to attempt to obtain these records directly from the hospital.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and need for additional medical records. The Veteran's hypertension is being reviewed again, including its relation to service-connected coronary artery disease and presumed herbicide exposure.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for hypertension, bilateral carotid artery disease status post endarterectomy, and entitlement to individual unemployability. As a result, the Board dismissed these issues.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for hypertension and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, as secondary to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals regarding the increased rating for PTSD, service connection for tinnitus, and service connection for hypertension.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic renal failure, headaches, left knee joint osteoarthritis, right knee scars, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. The AOJ must obtain any outstanding records from SSA and private providers, as well as VA treatment records. A new VA examination is also required for each of these conditions to ensure an accurate assessment.

The Board has granted reopening of the previously denied claims for service connection for hypertension and tinea pedis, but denied reopening of the claim for morbid obesity with reduced vital capacity. The Veteran's asthma is rated at 30 percent, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus prior to June 25, 2014 is rated at 10 percent, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus prior to June 25, 2014 is rated at 10 percent, and diabetic nephropathy is rated at 100 percent. The claims for increased ratings are all denied.

The Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder are granted. The Veteran’s petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus is remanded.

The petition to reopen service connection for removal of papillomatous lesions on the lip and right axilla, as well as hypertension, is denied. Service connection for diabetes mellitus is also denied.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent and denied an increased rating.,The Veteran's hemorrhoids are currently rated as noncompensable (zero percent) and denied an increased rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, which is granted for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the aid and attendance rate.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including back and knee disabilities, hearing loss, sleep apnea, and hypertension. The examination is required for these cases due to conflicting medical opinions and lack of recent medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's acute renal failure, diabetes mellitus, or hypertension were related to service, including exposure to benzene. The issues include determining if these conditions are service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with MDD was denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension were both remanded, as there is no presumptive basis based on Agent Orange exposure.