Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a pituitary tumor was denied as there is no evidence of current diagnosis or in-service incurrence.,For the period prior to July 30, 2019, the Veteran's bilateral pes planus was rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the disability did not meet criteria for a higher rating due to lack of objective findings supporting severe flatfoot.,From July 30, 2019, the Veteran is in receipt of a 50 percent rating for his bilateral pes planus, which is the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 5276.,The initial noncompensable rating assigned for hypertension was upheld as there were no blood pressure readings meeting criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, bilateral eye disorder, gastrointestinal disorder (claimed as GERD and chronic gastritis), and bilateral foot disorder due to insufficient evidence or conflicting opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, vertigo, and stroke due to deficiencies in prior development and need for additional examination opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to May 16, 2016 due to a lack of evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a skin disorder on the feet, hammertoe, and onychomycosis. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.,There was no competent medical evidence linking any of the claimed foot disabilities to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension, finding that there was no direct evidence linking these conditions to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of hypertension is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating increases have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal as his substantive appeal was not filed within the required time frame, despite the presumption of regularity and potential equitable tolling.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hypertension, gynecological disorder, and right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient development and lack of medical opinions addressing the Veteran's conditions. The issues include prostate enlargement, bilateral hearing loss, skin disorder, hypertension (secondary to PTSD), and TDIU prior to December 15, 2011.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin disorder. The remaining issues on appeal, including hypertension, fibromyalgia, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, are remanded due to lack of evidence regarding exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for the following reasons: missing SSA records related to PTSD, and additional records are needed from VAMC.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability and hypertension, both claimed as secondary to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Veteran's heart attack in 2011 is not considered service-connected due to lack of evidence showing its onset during or immediately after service. Hypertension was also not shown to have had its onset within one year following service discharge.,The Board found no direct service connection for the conditions, and did not find presumptive service connection based on chronic diseases.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, right knee condition, left knee condition, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities as they are not related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension, tension headache disability, and PTSD have been granted service connection. The Veteran's sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and CRPS secondary to trigger finger release are being remanded for further development.,TDIU and SMC issues are also remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the above-mentioned increased rating and service connection issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including valvular disease, left finger arthritis, and hypertension, have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since January 28, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the onset and etiology of the Veteran's hypertension. The claim will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's hypertension, which has a history of diastolic pressure of 100 or more and requires continuous medication for control, is granted a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents. The claims for bile duct cancer and pancreatitis are remanded as the VA examiner did not provide a clear opinion on their etiology.