Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's right shoulder strain was granted a rating of 20 percent from March 19, 2008 to August 20, 2013. The left shoulder strain and thoracolumbar strain were both granted ratings of 20 percent from May 7, 2008 to August 20, 2013. Hypertension was denied. Service connection for a bone disorder and sleep apnea were also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between the condition and his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service connection claim for Bipolar Disorder is granted. Claims for Personality Disorder, Depressive Disorder, Headaches, Sleep Apnea, and Hypertension are denied.

The Veteran's back and neck disabilities are not related to service or Agent Orange exposure. His hypertension is related to service. The right knee, abdominal pain (IBS), GERD, and dysphagia issues have been remanded for further review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, right elbow epicondylitis (tennis elbow), and arthritis of the hands. The decision found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to military service.,Specifically, the Board determined that hypertension is not secondary to the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability due to lack of evidence showing it was caused or aggravated by Celebrex use for his back condition. Right elbow epicondylitis and arthritis of the hands were also denied as there was no service connection found.

Service connection is denied for prostate cancer, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type II. The skin condition claim is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active service or herbicide exposure. The Veteran's current hypertension was considered unrelated to his service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of hypertension has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of hypertension, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The remand requires additional opinions from VA examiners to address the etiology of these conditions, particularly regarding hypertension and its relation to diabetes.

The Veteran's appeal of the initial rating for PTSD was granted at 50 percent effective from February 3, 2010, until September 3, 2014. The appeal of service connection for PTSD in excess of 50 percent prior to February 26, 2019 is dismissed due to mootness.

The Veteran's other specified bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and PTSD are granted service connection. A higher rating of 70 percent is granted for PTSD. Service connection for COPD, asthma, hypertension, lumbar spine disability, and right arm disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for high blood pressure and sleep apnea, as well as the increased rating claim for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and failure to address recent medical evidence. The Veteran's hypertension is being reviewed as a direct claim, with consideration of secondary service connection for PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and TDIU prior to November 23, 2012. The evidence did not establish that his current disabilities were related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD rated at 50%, resulted in a combined rating of 90% from October 13, 2016 to October 13, 2017. The Board granted a TDIU rating for this period based on the severity and cumulative effect of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as bipolar I disorder, was granted. The claims for cyst formation on the testicles and right foot pes planus were denied. Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and hypertension are pending and will be remanded.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the remand directives and has therefore ordered further development for several of the Veteran's claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral cataracts and hypertension due to service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. The case is being returned to the AOJ for consideration of new evidence, including a VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's hypertension and left sciatic nerve impairment are service-connected, but the claim for a separate rating for diabetes-related onychomycosis is denied.