Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and renal disease due to alleged exposure to ionizing radiation during active duty. The case requires further development including obtaining a dose estimate and determining if the Veteran participated in a 'radiation risk activity' that resulted in exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, hemorrhoids, and hypertension due to new and material evidence. The claims are granted as all elements of service connection have been met.

The Veteran's tinea versicolor, affecting 20 to 40 percent of exposed body area, is granted a 30 percent initial rating from August 1, 2012. Other service connection claims are denied.

The Board restored service connection for diabetic nephropathy with hypertension, finding the original grant was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a more definitive opinion on whether the Veteran's hypertension is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected specific phobia.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on loss of use due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, back disorder, and sleep apnea due to duty-to-assist errors. The claims are being returned for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraines and hypertension are being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The AOJ is required to obtain SSA disability records related to the Veteran’s migraine headaches and hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and TDIU, finding that there was no evidence linking his hypertension to active service or a service-connected disability. The Veteran did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU prior to March 1, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and inadequate examination.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, stroke disability, and service connection for bilateral lower extremity disability, migraine headaches disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder have been dismissed due to withdrawal. The remaining issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, service connection for bilateral lower extremity disability (numbness and swelling in the ankles and feet), service connection for migraine headaches disability, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Board has dismissed all appeals related to the Veteran's claims for service connection and other benefits due to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service, specifically exposure to Agent Orange during his time in Vietnam. As a result, the claim for service connection for hypertension is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability and hypertension, as secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder. The remand is due to inadequate medical opinions in both cases.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death and denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 due to lack of evidence supporting exposure to herbicide agents during service, and because there was no direct or presumptive service connection for the conditions that caused his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA opinions regarding service connection for hypertension. The Veteran served in Vietnam and is presumed exposed to Agent Orange.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions, and a new VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service or secondary to PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy, both of which are related to the Veteran's active duty service. However, service connection for a respiratory disorder is denied as there is no evidence linking it to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes, heart condition, hypertension, and liver condition due to inadequate consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service exposure to petroleum smoke.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it was not chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year from separation. The Board also found that there is no evidence linking the hypertension to herbicide agent exposure or service-connected PTSD.