Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, hypertension, and nephrosclerosis due to incomplete development of records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's glaucoma and neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities are service-connected.,The Veteran's hypertension, sinusitis, ischemic heart disease, and chloracne are not service-connected.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA opinion on direct service connection and updated treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to November 2, 2018 did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension, which is presumed to be due to exposure to herbicide agents during service. The VA medical opinion obtained was inadequate and a new one must provide an explanation on whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's hypertension is etiologically related to his in-service herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's hypertension claim is denied. The claims for service connection of migraine headaches and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for medical nexus opinions addressing the etiology/etiologies of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension under various theories of entitlement.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in a previous VHA opinion regarding aggravation of hypertension by service-connected diabetes, and because the Veteran argues that the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Update 2012 should be considered for herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not otherwise attributable to service. The Board also found no evidence of herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has denied service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, a heart disability, right lower extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, and an eye disability. The equilibrium disorder is remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including those related to prostate cancer, thyroid condition, bilateral cataracts disability, respiratory condition (blood clots in the lungs), bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder, left corneal dystrophy, hypertension, hernia condition, residuals of gallbladder removal, and residuals of electric shock. The claims are being remanded due to incomplete or inaccurate factual bases for previous opinions.

The Board has withdrawn all claims related to the Veteran's service connection and disability rating appeals due to his withdrawal requests. The right knee disorder, bilateral foot fungus, and prostate condition (claimed as large prostate) claims have been reopened based on new evidence submitted since their last denial.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, but the appeals are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has found that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate, particularly regarding whether hypertension is related to service-connected anxiety disorder. The case is therefore remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for migraine headaches from August 30, 2013 was granted. The Veteran now receives a 50% disability rating for her migraines.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted as of August 30, 2010, based on his service-connected disabilities making it impossible for him to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient compliance with previous remand directives and a need for an opinion addressing secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and gastrointestinal disorder are denied. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to unresolved issues regarding service connection for various conditions, including hypertension and sensory ataxia. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on DDD of the cervical spine, LUE cervical radiculopathy, RUE cervical radiculopathy, and osteoporosis are also pending.