Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The appeal for service connection for onychomycosis, claimed as right foot dermatitis, is dismissed.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder claimed as PTSD, to include anxiety and depression are denied. The Veteran's hypertension claim has been remanded.,The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the right foot dermatitis issue in October 2019.

The Veteran's death was not caused by or contributed to by his service-connected PTSD, but the Board is unable to make a determination due to insufficient medical evidence.,If the VA examiner finds that PTSD aggravated coronary artery disease and led to hypertension and heart conditions resulting in death, they must provide an opinion on whether there is medical evidence prior to aggravation or at any time between the time of aggravation and the level of disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD), lung disability, multiple myeloma, and hypertension have been remanded due to new evidence indicating possible associations with exposure to herbicide agents during active duty.,Specifically, the VA is directed to determine if the Veteran served in the Republic of Vietnam or within its 12 nautical mile territorial sea. If so, a medical opinion will be sought regarding the relationship between his current conditions and service.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection claims for various conditions due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient action on a request for substitution and a need for a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's post-service heart disease.

The Veteran's right eye disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension/dizziness have been denied as service connection due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,While the Veteran reported noise exposure during service, the VA examiner found no significant in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's current diagnoses are not related to service.

The claims for hypertension and heart disease have been granted. The claim for bilateral hearing loss has been remanded.

The petition to reopen the claim for service connection for diabetes was granted. The petitions to reopen claims for service connection for a heart condition, hypertension, eye conditions, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities were denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability, including hypertension, which he contends is related to herbicide exposure during his time at the Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand. The VA will obtain relevant treatment records and schedule an examination to determine if there is a link between the Veteran's current health conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's high blood pressure began during his second period of active duty and continues to this day.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development, including obtaining private treatment records and providing a VA medical opinion regarding service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for hypertension was denied as his blood pressure readings did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7101.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for valvular disease was denied, and the Board has remanded this issue.,Prior to November 29, 2016, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. However, from that date onwards, he is entitled to TDIU due to his inability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation by reason of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for a new examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease and hypertension, specifically focusing on the period of active duty special work from September 2001 to September 2002.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, sinusitis, heart condition, mini-stroke, IBS, erectile dysfunction, and keloid of the chest. The appeals are not about service connection but rather to revise a previous rating decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, tinnitus, a back condition as secondary to PTSD, diabetes as secondary to PTSD, right upper and lower extremity neuropathy, headaches, and a sleep condition. The issues of entitlement to service connection for these conditions are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied as there is no evidence of hypertension in service or within one year of separation. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current disability and that his contentions were not credible.,The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for hepatitis C was also denied as there is no evidence showing that he received VA blood transfusion in December 2001, or that the transfusion caused his hepatitis C.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations of service-connected insomnia, right foot heel spur, left foot heel spur, and hypertension have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for emphysema and COPD (claimed as a respiratory condition) has been denied due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to his military service.,Service connection for a headache disability is also denied, with no evidence showing that headaches were incurred during or related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea, both secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. The Board requested a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to service or specifically to herbicide exposure.