Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression has been reopened due to new and material evidence. Service connection for hypertension remains pending as the Board has remanded this issue.,Service connection for depression is currently in a state of uncertainty, with the Board finding that reopening was warranted but not deciding on its merits.

The Board has decided that the hypertension claim needs further examination due to insufficient evidence and requires consideration of recent NAS findings on Agent Orange exposure.

Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is granted.,Service connection for neuropathy of the right lower extremity as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus is granted.,Service connection for neuropathy of the left lower extremity as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus is granted.,Service connection for nephropathy (kidney disease) as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II is granted.,Service connection for colon cancer due to herbicide exposure is granted.,Service connection for hypertension due to herbicide exposure is granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess his functional limitations caused by his service-connected disabilities, and their impact on his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied all claims for service connection and increased ratings due to lack of current diagnoses or insufficient new and material evidence. The Veteran's sleep apnea claim was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's sinusitis is granted a 30% rating, but no higher, for the period prior to May 9, 2018. The Board also remanded several other claims due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has dismissed the claim of service connection for hypertension as it was granted in an August 2019 rating decision. The issue of service connection for hypothyroidism, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, is remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for hypertension, myocardial infarction, stroke, diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease secondary to hypertension is granted. The claim for service connection for COPD is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension (secondary to diabetes mellitus), diabetes mellitus, a bilateral eye disorder, missing toes of the right foot, and a quarter of the left leg amputated. The Veteran is required to provide updated VA treatment records and any private treatment records from Oklahoma City. Additional development may be necessary.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, and a higher rating is denied.,Service connection for tinnitus was granted effective May 20, 2015, which is the date of receipt of the claim. An earlier effective date is denied.,The Veteran's depressive disorder and anxiety disorder are found to have been incurred in service.,A back disability is not considered incurred in service due to lack of evidence showing continuity of symptoms since service.,Hypertension was not incurred in service, as there were no manifestations within one year of separation from service.,The Veteran's headaches are found to be proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus and depressive disorder.,A left knee disability is not considered incurred in service.,A right knee disability is not considered incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a respiratory condition are pending.

The Board has remanded the case for a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service-connected gunshot wound, left shoulder with retained metallic fragments. The appeal will be dismissed as the appellant withdrew her claim for accrued benefits.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 is granted as presumptively related to herbicide exposure during service. Headaches and hypertension are denied.

The Veteran's hypertension and service-connected coronary artery disease are being remanded for further evaluation. The rating reduction for coronary artery disease from 60% to 30% is also being remanded, as well as the issue of a disability rating in excess of 30% for coronary artery disease. The TDIU claim will be held in abeyance pending resolution of these issues.

The Veteran's GERD is remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology.,The Veteran’s hypertension, linked to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, is remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology.,The Veteran's left wrist disability, lumbar spine disability, and cervical spine disability are remanded for a VA examination to determine their etiology.,The Veteran's prostate cancer, potentially linked to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, is remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology. If service-connected, the bladder incontinence is also remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology.,Prostate cancer may be secondary to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and/or prostate cancer.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension with a history of renal artery transplant and headaches as secondary to this condition.,The Veteran's hypertension is considered renovascular in nature, secondary to his pre-existing renal artery stenosis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his hypertension and in-service exposure to herbicide agents or his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for atrial fibrillation was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,Service connection for hypertension (HTN) to include as secondary to service-connected obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was granted.

The Veteran's hypertension and esophageal condition have been denied as not related to service or service-connected conditions. The Board has remanded the claim for an initial compensable rating for dermatitis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his exposure to herbicide agents and service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension.