Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing, special home adaptation grant, and automobile adaptation and/or adaptive equipment were denied as he does not meet the eligibility criteria for these benefits.

The Board has remanded the cases of sleep apnea, acid reflux, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction for further development to determine if they are secondary to service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure to herbicide agents in Okinawa, Japan. The claims will be reviewed again after additional development is completed.

The Veteran's claim to reopen a previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus has been granted. The reduction of the evaluation of chronic bronchitis from 10 percent to 0 percent effective May 1, 2016 was proper. Other claims for service connection have been remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hypertension, which is claimed as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, needs further development and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to new evidence being added to the record.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for several conditions, and the issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus is remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of hypertension, stroke, loss of use of both upper extremities and weakness of both upper limbs, loss of use of lower extremities (also claimed as weakness of both feet), automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood due to the need for further development and consideration of additional evidence.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, type 2 diabetes mellitus, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, sleep disorder (obstructive sleep apnea), acquired psychiatric disorders (PTSD, anxiety disorder, depressive disorder), right knee degenerative joint disease, left knee degenerative joint disease, right hip degenerative joint disease, left hip degenerative joint disease, right foot degenerative joint disease, and hypertension.,The Board found no evidence of in-service noise exposure for hearing loss or Agent Orange exposure for diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's service records did not document Vietnam service.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension. The claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left foot, right foot, left hand, and right hand are also denied. Service connection is remanded for hypertension.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as depressive disorder, is granted due to its increase in severity being proximately due to his service-connected disabilities. His tinnitus and basal cell carcinoma are not related to service or any incident therein. The voiding dysfunction, DM2 with hypertension and erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities and lower extremities, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma have been found to aggravate his depressive disorder.

Your claims for service connection for migraine headaches and hypertension have been granted, but the appeal is dismissed as there are no remaining issues to address.

The Veteran's hypertension, left little finger fracture, and right knee disability were all remanded for further evaluation. The Board found that a compensable rating was not warranted for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD is denied as no indication of intent to apply prior to November 26, 2014 was found.,Service connection for asthma (claimed as a lung inhalational injury) is granted based on the onset during service and continued since then.,The Veteran's TBI claim requires clarification due to insufficient rationale in the August 2017 VA examination report.,A new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of the low back disability (DDD at L4-L5).,Left wrist and left shoulder conditions require a new VA examination for proper assessment.,Hypertension, gastroenteritis, and sleep apnea are remanded issues as no specific service connection theory or exposure basis is provided.,Service connection for asthma (claimed as a lung inhalational injury) is granted based on the onset during service and continued since then.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a right thumb sprain. The Veteran's ongoing intermittent pain from the in-service injury is considered credible.,Service connection for hypertension and bilateral lower extremity venous insufficiency are remanded due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, DM II, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The claims for hypertension (high blood pressure), Barrett’s syndrome, and essential tremors are remanded for further development.,VA will obtain the Veteran's private medical records from his PCP and cardiologist regarding his essential tremors. If these records are not available, VA should explain why they cannot be obtained. VA will also arrange for a VA examination to assess whether the Veteran has hypertension due to service-connected disabilities or exposure to herbicide agents.,VA will obtain the Veteran's private medical records from his PCP and cardiologist regarding his essential tremors. If these records are not available, VA should explain why they cannot be obtained. VA will also arrange for a VA examination to assess whether the Veteran has Barrett’s syndrome due to service-connected disabilities or exposure to herbicide agents.,VA will obtain the Veteran's private medical records from his PCP and cardiologist regarding his essential tremors. If these records are not available, VA should explain why they cannot be obtained. VA will also arrange for a VA examination to assess whether the Veteran has essential tremors due to service-connected disabilities or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension, initial increased rating for degenerative joint disease of the right knee, and a neck disability. The Veteran's current diagnoses are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for anxiety disorder, skin disorder, and hypertension due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations. The Veteran's current skin disorders are being evaluated again without a discussion of his in-service diagnoses or his lay contentions about rashes during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, was reopened. The Board found that the evidence is at least as likely as not related to service. Service connection for bilateral bicep condition to include tendonitis and bilateral foot disorder including plantar fasciitis are remanded due to lack of a VA opinion. Service connection for anemia and hypertension are also remanded.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension is reopened, but the effective date remains June 16, 2016. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD and a higher effective date are both remanded.