Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's right shoulder, lumbar and thoracic spine, left ankle, OSA, and hypertension conditions were denied as service connection due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,Service connection was remanded for TBI, GERD, and traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The Board has not substantially complied with its November 2019 remand directives, and the Veteran's hypertension claim is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding service connection.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to substantiate the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a c-section, low back disorder, and hypertension. The case is being remanded to obtain missing service treatment records and to schedule VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and headaches, both of which are found to be caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied because the evidence did not show that the Veteran had a hearing loss disability for VA purposes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, right ankle disorder, and related service connection issues due to inadequate notification of scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and headaches, finding that these conditions are caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected shoulder and knee disabilities as well as his tinnitus.,Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a left ear infection, and a right ankle disability due to lack of diagnosis during the appeal period.

The Veteran's hypertension and heart condition are currently rated at 10% and 30%, respectively. The Board has found the current evaluations to be inadequate and has ordered a remand for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD is granted, with the condition now rated at 70 percent.,The initial rating of 10 percent for essential tremors prior to July 17, 2018 and 30 percent thereafter is upheld.

The Veteran's claims for high cholesterol, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and hypertension were denied. The Veteran was granted a TDIU beginning May 11, 2015.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease and hypertension were not incurred or aggravated during active service, nor are they related to his service-connected psychiatric disability.,Service connection for both conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues except left upper extremity neurological disability and left elbow scar have been withdrawn. The remaining issues are being remanded for further examination and evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, and a new examination is required.

The Board has denied reopening the claim for hypertension and found that there is no new and material evidence to support it. The Veteran's high cholesterol was also not service-connected as a laboratory finding does not qualify for VA compensation.,Claims for earlier effective dates have been denied due to lack of proof of an increase in disability occurring within one year prior to the date of claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, tinnitus, and carpal tunnel syndrome, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined rating of 90% for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient development regarding the nature of chemicals and herbicides to which the Veteran was exposed in service, particularly as a 'smoke generator specialist'. The VA is instructed to seek this information from the CBRN and other relevant sources. If the exposure cannot be confirmed, it must be certified for the record. Additionally, the VA is directed to obtain an advisory medical opinion regarding whether the claimed disabilities are etiologically related to any potential service exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for residuals of a stroke and TDIU due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran's claim for service connection is pending, while his TDIU claim was denied due to lack of information about his employment status.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence to support a causal relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and her service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his hypertension and subsequent hemorrhagic stroke were related to his exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depression was reopened, but the claim remains denied as there is no credible supporting evidence that an in-service stressor occurred.