Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension, low back disability, PTSD, left lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee disability, right knee disability, and low back scar. The effective date for the grant of service connection for a left knee scar was also denied.

The appeal of the service connection claims for a respiratory disorder, seizure disorder, and hypertension have been dismissed.,The appeal of the nonservice-connected pension claim has also been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and type II diabetes mellitus secondary to OSA due to incomplete service records indicating active duty from May 2009 to August 2009, which should be considered in the new VA addendum opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases of hemorrhoids, low back disability, hypertension, and right hip disability for further development as the medical records are inadequate to address the Veteran's STRs regarding these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure to herbicide agents and asbestos. The Veteran is also required to provide any outstanding treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to herbicide agent exposure, as there is new evidence added to the record and a request must be made to verify the Veteran's reported exposure near the Korean DMZ.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to December 9, 2016 due to lack of evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's migraine headaches, hypertension, and sleep apnea are all service-connected. The Board has remanded the cases for further examination to determine if these conditions had their onset in or are otherwise related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding exposure to herbicides and the need for further development of medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for hypertension, finding that his blood pressure measurements did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7101.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and ocular hypertension due to a lack of VA treatment records and incomplete examination reports. The Veteran will be given another opportunity for an examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cataracts and hypertension, both secondary to diabetes mellitus. Additional VA medical opinions are needed to address causation and aggravation.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because he died during the pendency of his case, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of his claims.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus remains at a maximum schedular rating of 10%. A 20% rating for diabetes mellitus type II is granted from July 7, 2010 to November 21, 2011; and a 40% rating is granted from November 21, 2011. The Veteran's service connection claims for right shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and bilateral knee disability are remanded. An increased rating for PTSD and cataracts associated with diabetes mellitus type II is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for HTN and Reproductive Disorder (Menorrhagia) have been granted. The claim for service connection for Conjunctivitis is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for hypertension and a temporary total rating due to convalescence following lumbar spine surgery were both denied by the Board.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and reasoning in determining whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to service. The examiner did not provide a clear explanation for why in-service blood pressure readings do not constitute evidence of hypertension.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension due to potential exposure issues related to the U.S.S. Enterprise (CVA (N) 65).

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability, hypertension, and immune thrombocytic purpura (claimed as leukemia).

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension, but dismissed the claim for TDIU. The right shoulder injury issue is being remanded.,While the Veteran's current conditions are not presumed or secondary to a condition incurred in service, the evidence supports that his symptoms of sleep apnea began during service.