Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection and higher ratings were denied. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for gastric reflux, hypertension, heart condition (cardiomegaly), right foot plantar fasciitis, and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his right shoulder disability, as well as his claim for TDIU due to the need for further development. The issues include determining if a left shoulder disability is related to military service or secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disability, whether hypertension is related to military service or secondary to his service-connected disabilities, and evaluating the severity of his right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the previous VA examination. Additional development, including a new opinion from a VA examiner, is needed to address both direct and secondary theories of entitlement.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings on several service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange. The claim will be further evaluated with an addendum opinion from a clinician.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and non-compliance with previous remands. The Veteran's hypertension is being reviewed for potential service connection, considering his exposure to herbicides and his service-connected PTSD and diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development and evaluation of his claims, including obtaining medical records and audiogram results. The VA examiner must provide an opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran’s service-connected conditions and his hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the diagnostic criteria for service connection of hypertension, and therefore denied the claim.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on various service-connected disabilities were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and an acquired psychiatric disorder, which resolved the benefit sought.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between the condition and active duty service or any other compensable period.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of throat and mouth cancer and hypertension, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active duty service or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and stroke due to insufficient development of the record, particularly regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is due to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service. The renal disorder, heart/cardiac disorder, and right eye disorders are not currently diagnosed or related to service. Erectile dysfunction remains under review as it may be related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and insomnia due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is required to undergo new VA examinations for these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to Agent Orange exposure is granted. The case is remanded for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current heart disorders are directly related to herbicide exposure during service in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the claims of increased ratings for diabetes, skin rash, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, nephropathy, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral nuclear cataracts due to new evidence not having been considered.

The Veteran's right foot plantar fasciitis, status post 5th metatarsal fracture, is currently rated at 10 percent prior to October 31, 2019 and 10 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome was granted a 30 percent rating effective from the date of his VA examination in October 31, 2019. A 10 percent rating is assigned for this condition prior to that date.

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