Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that it did not have its onset in service and was not due to herbicide agents. The current hypertension is not related to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claim for costochondritis is granted. The Board found that the Veteran’s chest pain and diagnosed costochondritis are related to his service, specifically shortly after discharge from active duty. Service connection for hypertension is denied as there is no current diagnosis of hypertension. For residuals of testicular cancer, a rating of 40 percent but not higher is granted effective October 30, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic coronary artery disease and hypertension, both linked to herbicide exposure during the Veteran's service in Vietnam.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) and hypertension, finding that the conditions did not manifest during or within one year of service separation. The Board also remanded the claim for a low back disability.,Service connection was granted for the Veteran's low back disability due to an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the issue of whether the Veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected skin disorder due to conflicting information and a need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and epididymo-orchitis, but granted a compensable disability rating of 50% for tension headaches and TDIU. The claim for dyshidrotic pompholyx of the right foot was not addressed as it is unrelated to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA medical opinion regarding the cause of death.

The Veteran's service connection for hypertension is granted, as it was first diagnosed during active duty.,Service connection for CAD is also granted, with the Board noting that the hypertension likely aggravated this condition.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a link between the Veteran's active duty service and his current condition. The Board also found that hypertension is not related to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, left knee disability, right knee disability, and obstructive sleep apnea have been denied. The claim for hypertension is not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. Claims for left and right knee disabilities are reopened based on the receipt of new evidence. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is also reopened.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability remains rated at 10 percent, with a remand required to issue an SSOC.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting medical opinions and incomplete examinations. The issues include hypertension, low back disability, neurological disabilities of upper extremities, and neurological disabilities of lower extremities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded for further examination to determine their etiology.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for a VA examination to determine its relationship to his service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran's hypertension and colon polyps are remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence regarding herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's GERD, Barrett’s esophagus, gall bladder removal, left foot disability, right foot disability, eye disability (diabetic retinopathy), and kidney stones are remanded for a VA examination to determine their relationship to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence on file and the need for additional VA treatment records. The Veteran's cause of death is being reviewed, with a focus on whether his ischemic stroke was related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal of higher initial disability ratings for bilateral pes planus is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal at a Board hearing.,The Veteran’s claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), hypertension, cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure (claimed as hypertensive heart disease), tinea pedis of the right foot, tinea pedis of the left foot, obstructive sleep apnea (secondary to GERD/gastritis), a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD/gastritis, a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left knee, and a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the right knee are remanded.,The Veteran's appeal of higher initial disability ratings for bilateral pes planus is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal at a Board hearing.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to additional relevant evidence being associated with the claims file since the January 2020 SOC.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of hypertension or tachycardia, and the Veteran's claims for these conditions are denied.,There is insufficient medical evidence to establish a connection between the claimed heart palpitations (tachycardia) and service.

The Veteran was granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II (DMII) as of April 7, 2008.,Service connection for resection of small intestine with ostomy under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 was granted effective October 16, 2009.,The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection effective October 14, 2009.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED) was granted effective March 8, 2011.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate reasons and bases in previous decisions, requiring additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and skin disorder (claimed as multiple lipomas) due to inadequate medical opinions in the prior VA examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which are claimed as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's sleep apnea disorder, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus are granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spondylosis.,A VA examination is needed for the Veteran's claim of eye disorder other than diabetic retinopathy.