Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

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

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding hypertension and PTSD. The Veteran's current hypertension is being evaluated for its relation to service, service-connected PTSD, or both.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted service connection. The claims for renal dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's hypertension and headaches were granted service connection, but the hypertension was rated at 10% prior to February 20, 2020, and increased to 50% thereafter. The headaches were initially rated at 10%, but a maximum of 50% rating was granted from September 20, 2020.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, which may be related to herbicide exposure during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute to his death, as his fall was due to a hip fracture unrelated to any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's heart disorder is denied as there is no evidence of a pre-existing condition prior to his death.,The Veteran's left knee disorder is remanded for additional development due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA examination.,The Veteran's hypertension is remanded because the medical opinion did not adequately address whether it was caused by or aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's kidney disorder is remanded as there is no evidence of a pre-existing condition prior to his death.,The Veteran's thyroid disorder is remanded due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA opinion regarding its relationship with service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has decided that additional development is necessary before the case can be fully adjudicated, specifically regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension and whether it is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service connection claims for HTN, ED, and eczema as secondary to DM or exposure to herbicides are remanded. The Veteran's service-connected DM is rated at 20 percent, PN of the left lower extremity prior to January 24, 2020, is rated at 10 percent, and PN of the right lower extremity from January 24, 2020, is rated at 20 percent. The Veteran's CAD is rated at 10 percent prior to January 10, 2019, and from March 1, 2019, to January 23, 2020. His BHL and nephropathy are not compensable.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for anemia, gout, hypertension, diverticulitis, acid reflux, renal cyst, and polycythemia vera are remanded due to a lack of sufficient evidence to determine if these conditions are related to his active duty service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran is entitled to a hearing before the Board.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for an opinion on whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to his presumed exposure to herbicides during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment, as his hypertension, heart condition, and kidney disease alone do not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, prostate disorder, and inguinal hernia. The Board found that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his active service or any incident therein.,The Board concluded that there is no direct relationship between the Veteran’s current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is related to his service-connected diabetes or herbicide exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence to determine if hypertension is related to PTSD, CAD, or service-connected conditions. The Veteran's representative provided additional theories of entitlement.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension due to exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange) in the Veteran's case, finding that there is at least an even balance of evidence supporting a relationship between the condition and his military service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection as they are related to his death.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed. The appeal regarding the cervical spine disability is still pending as new and material evidence has not been received. Appeals for OSA, right hip, and right shoulder disabilities are remanded due to lack of medical opinion linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's request for a higher rating on his right knee disability and SMC based on aid and attendance is also remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected due to herbicide exposure. His bilateral hearing loss and GERD are denied, with the latter being remanded for further evaluation. The skin disability and carotid artery occlusive disease remain in dispute.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.