Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding insufficient evidence to link the condition to active duty service or presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The claim was not granted on a presumptive basis as hypertension is not among the diseases eligible for such presumption.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for hypertension, fatigue, gastrointestinal disorder, and joint pain due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for an increased rating for lumbar spine arthritis, service connection for hypertension, and service connection for PTSD prior to the Board's decision.

The Board dismissed the appeals for a rating in excess of 30 percent for ischemic heart disease, service connection for right and left knee disabilities, low back disability, and hypertension.,The Board also dismissed the appeals for service connection for right and left foot disabilities. The appellant withdrew these claims at his September 2019 hearing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction, finding that there was no evidence to support a secondary relationship between these conditions and his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, coronary artery disease, and sleep apnea have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has determined that the April 2013 rating decision denying service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is not final due to incorrect address. The case is now remanded for further evaluation regarding the relationship between service-connected conditions and the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection and compensation awards, finding that no formal claim was filed within one year of his initial intent to file. The earliest effective date assigned is May 4, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, but the issues of service connection for hypertension and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), diabetes mellitus, multiple myeloma, ischemic heart disease, and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus, which he contends is related to herbicide exposure. The Board notes that while there is no evidence of in-country service in Vietnam, the Veteran served in Korea during a period when herbicides were used along the DMZ. Further verification of his claimed exposure is needed.,The Veteran seeks service connection for multiple myeloma, which he contends is related to herbicide exposure. The Board notes that while there is no evidence of in-country service in Vietnam, the Veteran served in Korea during a period when herbicides were used along the DMZ. Further verification of his claimed exposure is needed.,The Veteran seeks service connection for ischemic heart disease, which he contends is related to herbicide exposure. The Board notes that while there is no evidence of in-country service in Vietnam, the Veteran served in Korea during a period when herbicides were used along the DMZ. Further verification of his claimed exposure is needed.,The Veteran seeks service connection for hypertension, which he contends is secondary to diabetes mellitus. The Board notes that while there is no evidence of in-country service in Vietnam, the Veteran served in Korea during a period when herbicides were used along the DMZ. Further verification of his claimed exposure is needed.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea due to inadequate medical opinions regarding causation and aggravation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) because the evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for SMC-AA was granted from December 12, 2008, and no earlier. The effective date is based on the VA examination showing that the Veteran required regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's hypertension is being reviewed again with new evidence, including recent findings from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine regarding herbicide exposure and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension, as it relates to PTSD. The Veteran's hypertension is being evaluated based on whether it was aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for hypothyroidism and hypertension, including as due to herbicide agent exposure, are remanded. The Board finds the Veteran has perfected his appeals for these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart condition, hypertension, and peripheral vascular disease. The claim of entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was denied in March 2013 due to lack of evidence of a nexus. The claim has not been reopened.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted as the Veteran served in Vietnam and exposure to herbicide agents is presumed, with no new material evidence provided.,The Veteran's PTSD claim is denied because there is no current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened, with the claim for tinnitus being granted. The claim for hypertension has been dismissed. The case is remanded for a new examination to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss began during or is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and correctly assess the Veteran's claims for lichen simplex chronicus, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a right knee disability. The decision will be remanded to allow for further development.