Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran’s left arm disability and left ankle disability are both remanded for additional examinations to comply with VA examination requirements.,The Veteran’s chronic lumbar strain disability is also remanded for an examination to determine the extent of functional loss during flare-ups.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus is remanded as the Veteran claims he was diagnosed in service. Further documentation of his service at Camp Lejeune is needed.,Service connection for liver spots and rectal cancer residuals are both remanded due to potential exposure to contaminants at Camp Lejeune.,reasoning

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetic retinopathy, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for diabetes mellitus type II prior to August 29, 2016 and thereafter, and an initial compensable rating for hypertension. The claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and denied an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and hypertension due to potential issues with the VA examinations conducted. The Veteran is presumed exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam, which may affect the outcome of these claims.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for hypertension has been reopened, but the issue remains remanded due to insufficient evidence on whether his hypertension was caused or aggravated by diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's eye disability and erectile dysfunction claims are both remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the hypertension claim.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, bilateral lower extremity nerve disorder, and atrial fibrillation due to potential herbicide exposure during service. The Veteran's dates of service need to be confirmed, and he needs to provide private treatment records if available.

The Veteran's death in January 2015 was not related to service, and therefore his claim for service connection for the cause of his death is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension. The case is being remanded to consider a TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound was denied as he is not in need of such assistance due to his disabilities, which do not meet the criteria for SMP.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, chronic fatigue syndrome, and circadian rhythm sleep disorder. The appeals for an initial disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for GERD and a compensable disability evaluation for hemorrhoids have also been denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to Agent Orange exposure or caused by his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of hypertension and kidney disease due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that service-connection is not warranted for hypertension, as the evidence does not etiologically link this condition to the Veteran's PTSD or medications used for treatment of PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and headaches due to PTSD are denied.,Obstructive sleep apnea is not considered secondary to PTSD. The examiner found that obesity causes sleep apnea rather than PTSD.,Hypertension was also not considered secondary to PTSD. The examiner noted multiple risk factors for hypertension including age, family history, and obesity.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and the need for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the timing and nature of his exposure to herbicides, as well as incomplete treatment records. The AOJ is instructed to verify proximity to Vietnam and obtain pertinent VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the cases of hypertension and bilateral hearing loss for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on three issues (sleep apnea, coronary artery disease, and hypertension) has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The appeal is dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for PTSD, TBI, hypertension, laceration of the head, laceration of the mouth, blisters of the left foot, left eye disability, and left knee disability. The claim for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) was also denied.