Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for hypertension, left eye glaucoma, and PTSD due to outstanding treatment records not being associated with the claims file. The Veteran will need new examinations to determine current severity of his conditions, as well as a VA Form 21-8940 completed by him.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and mood disorder, as well as a heart disorder (claimed as hypertension), finding no medical evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for right ear hearing loss, hypertension, and skin cancer due to procedural issues. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations and receive additional etiological opinions on these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional action, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations. The issues of service connection for various conditions are being addressed.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension as the Veteran did not meet the first element of a service connection claim, which is the presence of a current disability. The evidence showed no confirmed diagnosis of hypertension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and respiratory disorders due to insufficient opinions regarding their etiology. The VA is required to obtain a supplemental opinion on the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension have been granted. The claims for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic rhinosinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and hypertension are related to service. The criteria for direct service connection have been met.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension as secondary to his service-connected chronic kidney disease, finding that there is at least a 50% chance (equipoise) that the hypertension is due to or aggravated by his service-connected condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, chronic diarrhea (claimed as irritable bowel syndrome), and sleep apnea. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service or secondary to his service-connected schizoaffective disorder.

The Veteran's bilateral foot plantar warts with contact dermatitis are rated as noncompensable due to the lack of more than topical therapy affecting at least 5% of the entire body or exposed areas.,New and material evidence has not been received to reopen claims for service connection for hypertension and ischemic heart disease (previously heart condition).

The Veteran's claims for an initial rating for a bilateral hearing loss disability and service connection for hypertension, heart condition, skin condition, ear cellulitis (resolved), and otitis externa are being remanded due to the need for additional development of her VA medical records and clarification of her periods of active duty.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded as there is a lack of an adequate examination report. The examiner did not consider the Veteran’s assertion that her hypertension was caused by stress during active duty, nor did they provide an opinion on whether her hypertension aggravated preexisting conditions during periods of active duty.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for heart condition is being remanded as there is a lack of an adequate examination report. The examiner did not diagnose the Veteran with a heart condition and provided a negative nexus opinion based solely on the absence of a current diagnosis, without considering her symptoms or other evidence in the record.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for skin condition is being remanded as there are multiple inadequate examination reports. The September 2013 examiner did not diagnose any skin condition and indicated that no pathology was found during physical examinations, while the December 2015 and December 2017 examiners diagnosed intradermal nevi but failed to provide etiology opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for ear cellulitis (resolved) is being remanded as there are multiple inadequate examination reports. The September 2013 examiner did not diagnose any ear condition and indicated that the external ear, ear canal, and tympanic membrane were normal, while the December 2015 and December 2017 examiners diagnosed a history of external ear canal cellulitis but failed to provide etiology opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for otitis externa is being remanded as there are multiple inadequate examination reports. The September 2013 examiner did not diagnose any ear condition and indicated that the external ear, ear canal, and tympanic membrane were normal, while the December 2015 and December 2017 examiners diagnosed a history of external ear canal cellulitis but failed to provide etiology opinions.

The Board dismissed the claim of service connection for bilateral elbow tendonitis because the Veteran did not file a timely substantive appeal. The Board granted service connection for hypertension, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension due to exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including fractures of the wrists and ankles, a foot disorder, hypertension, lacerations to fingers and palms, and a skin condition. The decision states that there is no current evidence of these conditions during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, as well as a medical opinion describing the severity of his left shoulder disorder with scar and retained metallic fragments. The issues of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and hypertension are also being remanded.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was granted ratings of 20 percent, but no higher, prior to August 21, 2019, and 40 percent, but no higher, from that date onward.,The Veteran’s nephrosclerosis with hypertension is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection, but his left ear hearing loss is denied. His hypertension due to herbicide exposure is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for cerebrovascular accidents and service connection for lightheadness are dismissed. A 10 percent rating is granted for hypertension, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death. The Board cannot adjudicate the merits of this appeal as they have no jurisdiction.