Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient reasoning in a previous VA examiner's opinion regarding service connection for hypertension, which was related to exposure to herbicides during service. The Veteran is seeking service connection based on this exposure and also secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that it was incurred during the Veteran's active duty from July 2009 to August 2010. The decision also notes that hypertension may not be presumed to have been incurred or aggravated during his other periods of active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence to support a relationship between his current condition and his military service or service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is not considered the principal cause of death, but the Board finds that it materially contributed to or hastened his death. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's attorney withdrew all remaining claims on appeal, including earlier effective dates for PTSD and tinnitus, service connection for atrial fibrillation, hypertension, a skin condition, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's hypertension, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy associated with DDD of the lumbar spine, and bilateral knee arthritis have been granted service connection. Service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability and bilateral ankle disability has not been established.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability, hypertension, and hypothyroidism due to inadequate examinations and failure to consider all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction have been denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship to his active service, including presumed exposure to herbicide agents or contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, and the Board found no evidence to warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's thoracic osteoarthritis is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board determined that the disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.,The Veteran was granted separate ratings of 10 percent each for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, as his symptoms are analogous to mild incomplete paralysis of the femoral nerve.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied due to lack of evidence showing chronicity in service or continuity of symptomatology post-service.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is not considered service-connected.

The Veteran's posttraumatic headaches have been rated at 30 percent since January 31, 2012.,Cervical and thoracolumbar spine disorders are both remanded for further evaluation.,Residuals of TBI are also remanded for further evaluation.,Hypertension is remanded to determine if it is secondary to service-connected TBI or PTSD.,Right ear pain associated with the TBI is also remanded for a determination on its etiology.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, a mental disorder, and various musculoskeletal conditions. However, these claims have been denied as there is no evidence to support the presence or causation of any of these conditions during service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions is granted, and he will receive VR&E services to pursue additional education up to a Bachelor’s degree in environmental science.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's left index finger scars and to determine the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, GERD, and obstructive sleep apnea. The claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension, erectile dysfunction, acquired psychiatric condition, coronary artery disease (CAD), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are being remanded for additional medical opinions to determine if they are related to his service-connected varicose veins of the bilateral lower extremity.,Specifically, the VA will seek expert medical opinions on whether these conditions are secondary to or caused by the Veteran's service-connected varicose veins.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of hypertension, finding that it was not caused or aggravated by any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence to support a higher rating for lumbosacral strain prior to August 11, 2017 or since that date. Service connection was also denied for DVT of the right lower extremity and hypertension.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for hypertension associated with herbicide exposure is remanded. The earlier effective date of February 6, 2008 for the grant of eligibility to Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 is also granted.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, a cardiac disability to include heart failure (pacemaker installed), hypertension, and prostate cancer with benign prostate hypertrophy. The evidence does not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for hypertension, finding that the VA examinations were inadequate and requiring further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and hypertension due to inadequate medical opinions and inextricably intertwined issues.