Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Board has denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and remanded the issues of esophageal varices, liver disease, hepatic cirrhosis, ascites, portal vein thrombosis, and portal vein hypertension as secondary to service-connected splenectomy. The rating for thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint disease status post left transverse process fracture is also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and low back disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus type 2, and hypertension are granted service connection. The cerebral vascular accident (claimed as stroke) is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus (DM) is caused by his service-connected hypertension and sleep apnea, granting the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the cases of hypertension and erectile dysfunction for further development, including obtaining a new medical opinion regarding the relationship to service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetic nephropathy as due to service-connected diabetes mellitus and hypertension as due to in-service exposure to an herbicide agent. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not sufficient to warrant a TDIU at this time.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable evaluation for hypertension and TDIU prior to November 10, 2015 have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board denied service connection for emphysema, COPD, and hypertension as these conditions are related to the Veteran's smoking history rather than any in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for erectile dysfunction is denied, and the Board has remanded his service connection claim for hypertension due to insufficient medical opinion addressing direct or secondary service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether hypertension is caused or aggravated by service-connected diabetes. The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension are being sent back for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's hypertension is at least as likely as not due to his active service.

The Board has decided that further development is needed for the service connection claim for hypertension, including addressing secondary service connection with respect to PTSD, sleep apnea, and diabetes. The case is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and a medical opinion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension. The case is being remanded to further develop evidence related to these issues.

The Veteran's death was not caused by, or substantially or materially contributed to, by a service-connected disability. The Board denied entitlement to DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1310 and found the appellant did not qualify for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Veteran's Hepatitis C is granted service connection. The Board has also remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for cirrhosis of the liver, portal hypertension, splenomegaly and a gallbladder condition.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his military service. The preponderance of evidence supports this conclusion.

The Veteran's claims for chronic sinusitis, sleep disorder, and chronic fatigue syndrome are denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities related to these conditions during the claims period.,The Veteran's claim for coronary artery disease (CAD) and hypertension is also denied. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service, including exposure in the Gulf region.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and nephrolithiasis due to inadequate VA examinations, failure to obtain an adequate opinion regarding the relationship between his conditions and service or service-connected disabilities, and potential new evidence not considered at the time of the April 2020 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to his service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder. The issues of a compensable evaluation for the service-connected stab wound scar, service connection for a low back disability, and service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II are remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted due to his service-connected sleep apnea and hypertension, making him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.