Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's gout was not present in service and is unrelated to service.,A cervical spine disability, low back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy were not present in service or within one year following separation from service. The Veteran’s disabilities are not otherwise related to service.,Sleep apnea was not present in service and is unrelated to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a compensable rating for hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case to determine if the Veteran's service qualifies for the presumption of herbicide exposure under the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019 and then whether his hypertension is caused by service, including presumed herbicide exposure.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for hypertension and heart condition, but these claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding no evidence of actual or presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service and thus not meeting the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and transient ischemic attack due to exposure to herbicides or secondary to service-connected disabilities are remanded. The AOJ must verify the Veteran’s alleged in-service herbicide exposure and schedule VA examinations if necessary.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's glaucoma is related to his service, specifically intraocular hypertension diagnosed during active duty. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hypertension and TDIU claims were denied. The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran’s hypertension to his in-service exposure to herbicides, and there was insufficient continuity of symptomatology to establish direct service connection. For the period beginning March 31, 2014, the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and skin condition did not render him unemployable.

The Board has granted service connection for trauma and stressor-related disorder, but remanded other claims due to incomplete information regarding duty dates and the need for additional examinations.

The appeal of the issue of service connection for dizziness is dismissed. Service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are granted. The issues of service connection for a bilateral knee disability, hypertension, and headaches are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable prior to March 11, 2019 and 20 percent from that date. The claim for hypertension has been remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,Service connection for rosacea was granted with a 10 percent rating effective February 8, 2018. The Veteran is seeking an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension, gout, kidney failure, arthritis, and residuals of prostate cancer due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has determined that further action is needed to determine the Veteran's claims for service connection related to right ear hearing loss, hypertension, and residuals from a cerebrovascular accident. The case will be remanded for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete service treatment records and a need to clarify the type of hearing requested by the Veteran's representative.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no in-service diagnosis and that the condition did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further verification of his periods of active duty, inactive duty training (ACDUTRA), and in-service diagnoses.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of hypertension, finding that the January 2010 rating decision was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The Veteran's claim was denied as there was no evidence of treatment for hypertension during active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and anxiety disorder) and hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities required the need for aid and attendance of another person, effective May 4, 2010. The Board found that the Veteran is entitled to SMC based on his service-connected coronary artery disease, renal insufficiency, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes. The claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and kidney disability are remanded. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for diabetes and a TDIU is also remanded.