Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. The cases are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, with the exception of tinnitus which was granted but not earlier than July 31, 2018. The other conditions were either not shown to be related to service or did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's hypertension is presumed related to exposure to herbicide agents in service.

The Board has denied the claim of service connection for hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus, finding that there is no medical evidence linking the disability to service.,The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for neurological impairment of the bilateral upper extremities and scars/tightness secondary to such impairment due to conflicting opinions on whether the Veteran's diabetes caused or aggravated these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Board finds no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria for hearing loss, and the Veteran has not provided sufficient credible evidence to establish service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to additional pertinent medical records and lay statements being associated with his case after previous Statements of the Case (SOCs). The Veteran was requested to provide a waiver for AOJ review, but instead requested that his case be sent back to the AOJ. The Board will issue an SSOC considering all evidence obtained since the last SOC.

The Veteran's hypertension, which has been service-connected since 1963, does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating as his blood pressure readings have consistently been below the threshold required by VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the service connection for hypertension, including exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's claims are now pending again.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, gout, and incontinence due to insufficient evidence. The effective date claim is denied as there was no prior formal or informal claim before June 16, 2010.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a heart disorder need further examination to determine if they are related to his military service or any other factors.

The Veteran's chronic heart disability and hypertension are now service-connected. The Board has remanded the case for further development, including assigning an initial rating for the service-connected disabilities and determining if a TDIU is warranted prior to January 6, 2011.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is denied as there was no evidence of acoustic trauma during service and the VA examiner found it less likely than not related to service.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension are denied due to lack of in-service onset or relationship to service, with post-service diagnoses beginning many years after separation from service.,The Veteran's asthma is currently rated at 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 6602. The VA examiner found no evidence of more than one attack per week with episodes of respiratory failure, monthly visits for care of exacerbations, or daily use of systemic corticosteroids or immunosuppressive medications.,The Veteran's asthma is not rated higher as the current rating already reflects his need for daily inhalation therapy and anti-inflammatory medication.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer, hypertension due to herbicide exposure, and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and gout due to inadequate opinions from VA examiners. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents is not presumed, but a direct nexus must be considered. A new examination is required to determine if there is a link between service, PTSD, and both conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeals of the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including cervical condition, left foot injury, hypertension, sleep apnea, skin condition, and acquired psychiatric condition. The AOJ is instructed to obtain medical records, attempt to corroborate in-service stressors, and arrange for VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a liver condition was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,The appeals to reopen service connection claims for gout, lumbar strain, and hypertension were all denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for migraine headaches, increased ratings for PTSD and hypertension due to new evidence being added to the record.

The Board has remanded the claim for a retrospective examination to assess the impact of service-connected disabilities on the Veteran's work capacity during the period from April 21, 2014 to February 1, 2016. The effective date is not addressed as it pertains to the retroactive application of a 100% schedular rating.

The Board has remanded the cases of entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, TDIU prior to December 18, 2008, and SMC at the housebound rate under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) prior to October 21, 2016 due to incomplete evidence in the claims file.