Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's initial ratings for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction associated with diabetes, and hypertension associated with diabetes have been denied. Separate compensable ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities associated with diabetes are also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions. The issues include hypertension, low back disability including osteoporosis and degenerative disc disease (DDD), coronary artery disease, and sciatica of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of bilateral lower extremity varicose veins with atherosclerosis and hypertension due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's symptoms are being evaluated again by a VA examiner.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted service connection, but his hepatic and pancreatic steatosis are denied as they are not considered disabilities for VA purposes.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for high blood pressure, acid reflux, and entitlement to a TDIU prior to May 23, 2018 have been dismissed. The appeal of the effective date earlier than April 2, 2014 for the grant of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is remanded.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for right eye pterygium and remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension and a right foot disability. The case is now being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral elbow arthritis and hypertension, including as due to exposure to herbicide agents or secondary to PTSD. The evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction as a result of exposure to herbicides. The case will be returned for additional action to attempt to corroborate his potential in-service exposure to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and review due to insufficient opinions regarding the onset of hypertension during service. The heart disorder claim is also inextricably intertwined with the hypertension claim.

The Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, hypertension, and GERD are currently rated based on their individual service-connected conditions. The Board has remanded these issues for further development.,A TDIU is granted but subject to the law and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and back disability, finding no causal relationship to the Veteran's military service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. A 70% rating for PTSD is granted, and the Veteran is granted TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. Service connection for erectile dysfunction is also granted. The Board remanded the issues of hypertension and hearing loss.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for hypertension as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II due to a lack of evidence showing that the Veteran's hypertension was caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has denied service connection for arthritis, gout, and an eye disorder. The remaining issues of hypertension, gastrointestinal disorder (diagnosed colitis), erectile dysfunction, and kidney disorder are remanded.,Service connection is not granted for the Veteran's diagnosed conditions as they do not meet the criteria set forth in the applicable laws and regulations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and PTSD due to insufficient examination reports, lack of clinical basis for opinions, and need for additional VA treatment records to be reviewed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to incomplete examination reports and the need for additional development of the record.

The Veteran's PTSD, headaches, and insomnia are granted service connection. The remaining conditions (tinea pedis, iron deficiency anemia, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, memory loss after surgery during service, peripheral drusen, cataracts, and retina degeneration) have been remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hypertension, which he claims is due to herbicide exposure during service in Vietnam, should be remanded for further examination and opinion. The current VA examiner found it less likely than not that the hypertension was caused by an injury or disease in-service, but the Board finds this insufficient given the Veteran's presumed exposure to herbicides.