Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the cause of death, as well as incomplete income information. The claims for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 and survivor pension benefits are also being remanded.

The Veteran's right and left knee conditions, including pain, as well as prostate cancer are granted service connection. The Veteran's hypertension and sleep disorder are remanded for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to a rating of at least 70 percent, meeting the schedular requirements for TDIU. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran can secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The reduction of the Veteran's disability rating for right carpal tunnel syndrome was improper, and her 30 percent rating is restored. The appeals for reopening claims related to vision problems, hypertension, COPD, and bilateral shoulder disabilities are granted.

The Veteran is entitled to the maximum Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill) benefits due to his discharge from active duty due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the reopening of previously denied claims for service connection for a heart condition, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and shortness of breath. The claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a rating of 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The claims for increased ratings for DMII and hypertension are dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran. A TDIU is granted. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea secondary to PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective from November 12, 2016. The Veteran's depression disability with anxious distress is rated at 70 percent since March 2, 2017 and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for supraventricular arrhythmia has been withdrawn and dismissed. The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a skin condition due to herbicide exposure and hypertension, both presumed to be related to Agent Orange exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and left ankle achilles rupture due to incomplete medical records and inadequate VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to herbicide exposure in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, as it is unclear whether his condition is related to his service-connected back disability. The case will be returned for further development and an addendum opinion from a VA physician.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, cervical spine disorder, right carpal tunnel syndrome, GERD, TBI, and an equilibrium disorder. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hip condition, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus due to potential issues with causation and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be at least as likely as not related to his service in Vietnam and exposure to Agent Orange, thus granting service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's application to reopen his service connection claims for headaches, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine (neck) disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability is granted. The claim for hypertension remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right wrist injury, left wrist injury, hypertension, and left knee condition due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, due to Agent Orange exposure, has been granted. The effective date is May 19, 2017.,The Veteran's hypertension condition is remanded as the Board finds an examination and medical opinion are necessary to determine its etiology.

The Veteran's umbilical hernia was noted at entrance to service and preexisted service. It is not considered aggravated by service.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hypertension that began during or within one year after his separation from service. The evidence does not support a finding of continuous symptomatology associated with the disability.,Service connection for dizziness (presumed to be related to a peripheral vestibular disorder) is denied as there is no in-service injury, event, or disease and no current diagnosis. The Veteran's dizziness has been presumed based on continuity of symptoms since service.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of sinusitis that began during or within one year after his separation from service. There is no evidence of an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's dry eye syndrome is granted with a 20 percent rating, and the maximum schedular evaluation for tinnitus is denied. Other claims are either denied or remanded.