Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for ratings and service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records, unclear diagnoses, and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and glaucoma due to exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's conditions are being evaluated based on their relation to his active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, coronary bypass surgery as secondary to obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension as secondary to obstructive sleep apnea. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service symptoms of loud snoring and difficulty breathing during sleep.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted as service-connected due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's hypertension and sleep apnea are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases of sleep apnea and hypertension due to insufficient evidence regarding their relationship to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected sleep apnea contributed substantially or materially to his death, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, bilateral foot disabilities, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been withdrawn, and the Board has dismissed all related issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate compliance with prior remand directives. The claims are being returned for additional development and medical opinions regarding sleep apnea, hypertension, and a condition of the hands and fingers.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating.,Right ear hearing loss was not found to meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, congestive heart failure, diabetes, stroke, and atrial fibrillation as these conditions are not related to the Veteran's active duty service or herbicide exposure in Thailand.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, hypertension, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The claim for service connection for migraine headaches is also remanded.,Additional evidence received since the October 2013 rating decision relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims for service connection for tinnitus, hypertension, and GERD.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 are remanded due to the complexity of the medical questions and controversy regarding care provided by VA.

The Veteran's flatfoot (pes planus) and migraine, including migraine variants (claimed as tension headaches), are found to be related to his service. The remaining claims for service connection have been remanded.,Service connection is granted for flatfoot (pes planus) and migraine, including migraine variants (claimed as tension headaches).

The Veteran's right knee strain has been granted a 20 percent rating, effective from July 30, 2015.,A separate 10 percent rating for each of the Veteran's left and right knees due to limitation of flexion with painful motion and swelling.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and hypertension as the evidence did not show these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, with a combined disability rating of 90 percent for her service-connected conditions. The Board found that the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities preclude all substantially gainful employment due to her migraines and psychiatric disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and is not related to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's hypertension is presumed to have existed prior to his second period of active duty service (from August 2004 to January 2006). The VA examiner found that the Veteran's hypertension was not aggravated during this period. However, a remand is required for an addendum opinion to determine if it is clear and unmistakable that the condition did not increase in severity beyond its natural progression.

The Veteran's death was not due to his service-connected disabilities, specifically hypertension. The criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 were also not met.