Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, low back disability, RLE radiculopathy, and LLE radiculopathy were denied. The Veteran was granted earlier effective dates for service connection of RLE and LLE radiculopathy, as well as TDIU and SMC based on housebound status.

The Board has granted service connection for multiple myeloma, a right eye disability, and hypertension. The decision is based on the reopening of these claims due to new evidence.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to hypertension, which was previously awarded in an October 2020 decision. The Veteran's cause of death was cardiac arrest due to possible myocardial infraction and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance due to concerns about updated VA examinations, particularly regarding a bilateral knee disorder. The examiner is requested to clarify whether this disorder is related to service-connected conditions or if it should be considered separately.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the claims of hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression), and GERD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the original grants of service connection for Hodgkin's disease, CHF and pulmonary hypertension with tachycardia and automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ACID) placement, and peripheral neuropathy were clearly and unmistakably erroneous due to incorrect application of VA law and regulation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete information regarding his SSA income. The Board will verify the amount of his SSA benefits and request that he submit EVR and Medical Expense Reports for the specified period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that low testosterone is not a compensable disability, the anxiety disorder does not meet criteria for a higher rating, the back disability did not warrant an increase to 100%, headaches do not meet criteria for a higher rating, bilateral hearing loss was rated appropriately, and hypertension did not warrant an increase.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified depressive disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there is no evidence to support a direct relationship between his service and the condition. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish that the hypertension was proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II and ischemic heart disease (IHD).

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient evidence and need for a medical opinion.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension are granted as due to herbicide exposure during service.,Tinnitus is also granted as due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, a heart rhythm condition, and hypertension. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for congestive heart failure, sleep apnea, headaches, and high blood pressure have all been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.,Service connection has also not been granted for spinal stenosis, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypothyroidism and hypertension due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents, as there is insufficient evidence to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypothyroidism, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease cannot be granted as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service. The Board has also identified errors in obtaining relevant service records and has ordered further efforts to obtain such records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's foot disabilities, including amputation of the left second toe. The claims for service connection for basal cell carcinoma, hypertension, and heart disorder are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran's hypertension is being evaluated for potential aggravation by his service-connected cardiomyopathy, status post heart transplant. His sleep apnea claim will also be reviewed for potential aggravation.