Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, diabetes, cataracts, erectile dysfunction, residuals of stroke, and hypertension. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diabetes.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied. The claims for erectile dysfunction and hypertension were also denied. However, the Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,Service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction are both denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there is no evidence to support a direct link between his military service and hypertension. The Board also found that hypertension was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia is granted due to the presumption of exposure in the Persian Gulf War. The claim for a compensable rating for hypertension is denied as there are no readings meeting the criteria for a 10% rating under Diagnostic Code 7101.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for obstructive sleep apnea, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, psychiatric disabilities, cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, nasal fracture residuals, left hand disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, headache, sinus disability, tinnitus, and erectile dysfunction. The Board also remanded the issue of an initial compensable rating for herpes simplex.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and right ulnar neuropathy as secondary to service-connected disabilities due to insufficient opinions on whether these conditions are related to military service or aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

The claim for service connection for fibromyalgia is granted with an effective date of February 10, 2017. The other claims remain denied.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of his prostate condition. The heart condition, including hypertension, is remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for a VA examination.

The Board has granted a TDIU from October 29, 2007 and remanded the SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran was not previously service-connected for any conditions, but his diabetes mellitus is related to his active service and led or contributed to his cause of death.

The Board has remanded the cases of hypertension and CMML for a VA clinician to provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during service. The opinions must consider the updated classification of hypertension from 'limited or suggestive' to 'sufficient' evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type II as a result of herbicide exposure are granted. The remaining issues (peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorder, and bilateral hearing loss) are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent effective July 23, 2019. The initial ratings for hypertension and bilateral foot disabilities remain unchanged.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for tinnitus, residuals of right-shoulder rotator cuff surgery, and left shoulder condition were granted. Claims for disorder manifested by sleep issues, hypertension, radiculopathy of the LLE, radiculopathy of the RLE, lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis, and spinal stenosis, as well as PTSD, are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus due to insufficient opinions regarding secondary service connection. The Veteran should be afforded new VA examinations to address these issues.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and CVA due to new evidence received since the March 2003 rating decision. The claim for hypertension is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other two issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypothyroidism and hypertension due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as an addendum opinion addressing the etiology of his thyroid disorder and hypertension.

Service connection for hypertension is granted.,The Veteran's heart disease claim is remanded due to conflicting medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.