Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's death was caused by chronic renal failure and COPD, with hypertension possibly contributing. The Board has determined that the issues of service connection for cause of death and DIC under § 1318 are inextricably intertwined with the pending claims for PTSD, alcoholism, alcohol-induced dementia, and a heart condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 and hypertension. The Board found that there was no evidence of diabetes during or within one year after service, and that hypertension did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in service. The claims will be reconsidered after this development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and type II diabetes mellitus due to lack of exposure to herbicides like Agent Orange during his active duty in Thailand. The Board also found that these conditions were not present during service or related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction due to potential exposure to herbicides during service in Vietnam. The Veteran's presence aboard USS Agerholm while on the gun line is being verified, and an opinion regarding whether his current conditions are related to military service will be provided.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, sleep apnea, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, Type II. The Veteran's stomach condition other than IBS with diverticulitis and diverticulosis is denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death due to new and material evidence. However, the appeal is remanded as further development is needed before a final decision can be made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations. The issues include PFB, lumbar and cervical neck disabilities, OSA, hypertension, and pes planus.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a low back disability and entitlement to an increased rating for left fibula fracture due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations.

The appeal to reopen claims for service connection of PTSD, OSA, and low back disability is granted.,The appeals to reopen claims for service connection of right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, anemia, tenosynovitis, and OSA are remanded. The claim to reopen service connection for a low back disability remains on appeal.,Service connection for hypertension is granted from the date last worked in November 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension, finding that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether OSA was caused or aggravated by hypertension.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and hypertension, is rated at 70 percent disabling. The effective date for service connection of these conditions has been set to April 6, 2009. The Board also granted the Veteran a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a right ankle disability, neck and right arm numbness disability, hypertension, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are granted. The appeal is denied on the issue of service connection for PTSD.

The application to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension is denied. Service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disability is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of being struck by lightning other than PVD, CVA, hypertension, constipation, and headaches, to include poor circulation in the arms and/or damage to most internal organs.

The appeal of the claim for service connection for chronic body pain is dismissed.,The applications to reopen claims for service connection for lupus, a lung disorder, and hypertension are denied as new and material evidence has not been received.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a bilateral eye disability and cardiovascular disease have been denied.,The Veteran’s claims of service connection for various other conditions, including left knee, ankle, foot, gout, generalized body aches, psychiatric disorder, skin condition, allergies, COPD, asthma, sinusitis, headaches, hypertension, sleep apnea, pes planus, and right knee disability are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of bilateral lower extremity cellulitis, bilateral hip arthritis, and throat polyps. The Veteran is also granted an increased rating for his prostatitis with BPH.

The Board dismissed the issue of service connection for right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy due to a full grant of benefits. The increased rating claims were denied, and the reduction of disability rating from August 3, 2017 to June 5, 2019 was found to be void ab initio.

The Veteran's service connection claim for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AFib) arrhythmia is granted.,The Veteran's service connection claim for hypertension, to include as secondary to service-connected AFib arrhythmia, is granted.,The Veteran's service connection claim for erectile dysfunction is remanded.,The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of left elbow fracture is remanded.,The Veteran's service connection claim for post traumatic scarring of the left epididymitis is remanded.