Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy, kidney disability, GERD, hypertension, and vertigo. The claims are being reviewed due to new evidence received since the previous denial.

The Board has remanded the service connection issues of hypertension, a back condition, a heart condition, neuropathy of the arms, hands, and legs, dementia, and tinnitus due to pending issues related to cause of death.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, but remanded the issue of service connection for pancreatitis.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and review by the AOJ. The issues of PTSD, hypertension, sleep apnea, and hepatitis C secondary to PTSD are still under consideration.

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for hypertension as secondary to major depressive disorder and service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death. The remand requires an adequate medical opinion regarding both issues.

The Veteran's skin disorder is granted service connection as secondary to herbicide exposure. The issues of service connection for PTSD, hypertension, gastrointestinal disorder, and bladder disorder (cystitis) are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when considered in the aggregate, limit his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has ordered additional examination and opinion regarding this issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is related to service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's sleep disorder, bilateral hearing loss, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, and acquired psychiatric disability (to include depression and anxiety) are all currently rated.,The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected ischemic heart disease.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's residuals of traumatic anisocoria of the right eye with epiretinal membrane, secondary cataract, ocular hypertension, and vitreous degeneration.

The Board dismissed the claim of service connection for hypertension, as the appellant withdrew her appeal.,Service connection was granted for coronary artery disease. The Board found that the Veteran's duty placed him near the air base perimeter in Thailand and resolved all doubts in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA, TIA, GERD, and hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left hand and elbow numbness secondary to ulnar neuropathy is granted a 20 percent rating, but no higher, for the entire appeal period. The Veteran's hypertension remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient compliance with a previous remand order and because there is sufficient evidence of an association between hypertension and Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran's hypertension will need to be evaluated by a VA examiner who must consider all available evidence, including lay statements.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, COPD, gastroesophageal reflux disease/Barrett's Syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and hypertension have been denied. The claim for hypertension is remanded due to secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, and benign prostatic hyperplasia have been denied as they are not related to service.,The Veteran's claim for a back disorder is remanded due to the need for further examination.

The appeal to reopen the claim for service connection for a heart condition is granted.,The appeal to reopen the claim for service connection for abdominal aortic aneurysm or any associated residuals, including as due to herbicide exposure is granted.

The Veteran's hypertension has not been manifested by predominant blood pressure readings of 100 or more or systolic pressure of 160 or more, and thus does not warrant a compensable rating.,The Veteran’s skin condition was not manifested by active disease affecting five percent or more of the entire body or exposed areas or the use of intermittent systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs, and therefore does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and hypertension on a secondary basis due to the Veteran's service-connected rheumatoid arthritis. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran’s rheumatoid arthritis had onset during his period of active duty service, and the benefit sought was granted based on that theory.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and related conditions are denied as there is no evidence of in-service disease or injury.,Service connection for left upper extremity neuropathy, hypertension, benign prostatic hyperplasia, diabetic retinopathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, right lower extremity neuropathy, and left lower extremity neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II are also denied due to lack of service-connected primary disability.,The Veteran's claimed conditions were not shown as chronic in service or within a year following separation from service. The Board finds no evidence of herbicide exposure during service and the VA examiner opined that there is no link between the Veteran’s current disabilities and his military service.