Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's onychomycosis of the feet was not rated compensable since October 27, 2014 due to lack of involvement affecting more than 5% of total body area or exposed areas and no systemic therapy required.,The Veteran's hypertension did not meet criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent since October 27, 2014 as diastolic pressure was less than 110 and systolic pressure was less than 200.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension and tinea versicolor are being remanded due to the submission of additional evidence. The effective dates for service connection need to be determined.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type 2, hypertension, macular degeneration, kidney disease, and bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran is also remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his hypertension, macular degeneration, kidney disease, and bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and hypertension as secondary to herbicide exposure during active duty in Korea. The evidence did not establish herbicide exposure or a link between the conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus and hypertension as secondary to service-connected PTSD due to a lack of adequate rationale in the September 2019 VA opinion regarding whether obesity caused by PTSD is an intermediate step between PTSD and these conditions.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's death was caused by or made worse by his service-connected conditions, including exposure to burn pits in Southwest Asia. The VA examiner’s opinion regarding these issues is inadequate and additional medical opinion is necessary.

The Board has denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.,Service connection is remanded for pulmonary hypertension and lumbar spine disorder as there are insufficient opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's tinnitus, headaches, and pharyngitis were not found to be related to service. The Board also remanded the issues of diabetes mellitus, type II, and hypertension due to potential in-service asbestos exposure.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, and hypertension was denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claims for service connection for PTSD, depression with sleep impairment, and sleep apnea. The claim for hypertension was denied as no additional evidence related to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, arthritis and gout, and hypertension are remanded due to the need for additional development of records and medical opinions.

The Veteran's hypertension is not productive of the required symptomatology for a compensable rating, and therefore, an initial compensable rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The issues include anxiety disorder, PTSD, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, bronchitis, and precancerous skin lesions on head and ears.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in addresses and living arrangements, as well as potential issues with service connection for various conditions. The appellant's status as a surviving spouse must be determined first before any other claims can proceed.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, gout in the feet and hands, sleep apnea, and hypertension (high blood pressure) as there was no evidence of a current disability or link to active service.,There is no medical evidence linking any of these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right foot, left foot, and ulcerative colitis.,The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen her claim for service connection of hypertension has been granted. Her initial disability ratings for right and left knee conditions prior to September 2, 2016 remain denied. The Veteran's appeal to reopen her claim for bilateral foot conditions is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder is denied as there is no evidence of current disability or symptoms that cause functional impairment in earning capacity.,The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and bilateral avascular necrosis of the hip due to the need for further development, including obtaining medical records from Dr. Champion and scheduling VA examinations.,For hypertension, the NAS Institute of Medicine moved it from 'inadequate or insufficient evidence' to 'limited or suggestive evidence' category.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for additional development due to inadequate information from a previous VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for migraine headaches, high blood pressure (hypertension), right knee disability, and obstructive sleep apnea due to a failure in VA's duty to assist. The case is being sent back for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for a right leg disability, hypertension, and bilateral ankle disability. The issues of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea are remanded.