Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, gout, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, prostate disorder, thyroid disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and unspecified arthritis are being remanded due to additional evidence received since the August 2019 statement of the case. The AOJ will review this new evidence in its entirety before readjudicating the claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service records and the need for additional development regarding herbicide exposure at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan. The cause of death is being considered as related to military service.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's heart disorders, including atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure, are presumed to be related to herbicide exposure. However, service connection for hypertension is denied as there is no evidence of a direct link between the condition and active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and hypertension, finding that these conditions did not manifest during his period of active duty training (ACDUTRA) in Gulfport, Mississippi. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for a respiratory disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a hysterectomy and hypertension, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and her military service.

The Veteran's appeals of the denial of increased evaluations and service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the Board found that his diabetes, coronary artery disease, and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for secondary service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus type II to include as secondary to his service-connected sleep apnea.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for COPD, hypertension, and sleep apnea as there are questions regarding the qualifications of the VA examiner who conducted the initial examinations. The Veteran's service connection claims will be reconsidered with new evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases for issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) and for obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the residuals of a stroke. The issues of hypertension, tinnitus, and the residuals of a stroke on a secondary basis are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ).

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to July 13, 2019. The symptoms associated with this rating include irritability or outbursts of anger, suicidal ideation, near continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriately and effectively; difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances, including work or a worklike setting; and inability to establish and maintain effective relationships.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death. The appeals are not considered for merits as they have become moot.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as the RO did not grant a compensable rating for migraines, despite the Veteran experiencing frequent and severe headaches. The highest schedular rating available (50%) was assigned.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for further development to determine if it is related to service, including his exposure to herbicide agents. The VA examiner will also assess whether the condition manifested within one year of discharge or with continuity since service.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for the cause of death due to hypertension, which is a new and material issue. The pension benefits application for 2013 was denied as the Appellant's income exceeded the maximum annual pension limit.

The Veteran's bilateral hip degenerative arthritis is granted service connection as a subsequent manifestation of his already service-connected sacroiliac joint arthritis. Service connection for hypertension and kidney disorder are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and a need for further development, including obtaining additional medical evidence and providing an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of hypertension, as it relates to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were dismissed due to his death, as there is no pending appeal at the time of his death.