Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension due to a lack of evidence linking it to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran is being asked to provide an addendum opinion from a clinician that addresses whether his hypertension is related to his in-service injuries or events, including his presumed exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and considering the Veteran's claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities.

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

The Veteran's headaches are service-connected due to an undiagnosed illness during his Southwest Asia service. However, the Veteran's pulmonary disability (asthma), sleep apnea, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type II are not service-connected.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, cold injury residuals of the bilateral hands, cold injury residuals of the left and right lower extremities, and hypertension as there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied service connection for heart disability, hypertension, lumbar spine disability, right shoulder disability, and left shoulder disability as the evidence did not support a nexus to military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, hypertension, and a cardiovascular disorder have all been denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease, and the conditions are not shown to be related to service.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death, finding that his coronary artery disease and hypertension did not manifest in or are not etiologically related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining in-patient records from a hospitalization during service, arranging for examinations by appropriate clinicians to determine the likely etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability, peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension, and addressing the theory of secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and requests for another opinion on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's pulmonary disorders, including pleural plaques and asbestosis. The issues are service connection for a pulmonary disorder and asbestos exposure during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for liver disorder, hypertension, DM, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and COPD were denied as there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or a link to service. The appeals for SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status were also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are remanded due to the need for additional medical records, social security administration (SSA) records, and VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and OSA, but remanded the issues of service connection for erectile dysfunction and GERD secondary to PTSD.,Service connection was not granted for hypertension or OSA. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction and GERD were found not related to his service-connected PTSD in VA examinations.

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

The Veteran's orthostatic dizziness is granted as service-connected due to its being caused by medication for hypertension.,There is no evidence of glaucoma or presbyopia during the appeal period, and thus these conditions are not service-connected.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a rating of 70 percent effective from December 28, 2015. The Board also granted TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran is entitled to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to July 25, 2014 due to his service-connected disabilities that rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus and denied a higher initial rating for tinea pedis.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension due to a lack of evidence showing it began during service or is related to herbicide exposure. The neck and back disorder claims are remanded as the VA examiner's opinions were insufficient.

The Board has denied service connection for a left ankle disability and hypertension, but has remanded the issue of service connection for a left eye disability. The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to PTSD. Service connection for the left ankle and left eye disabilities are not established.