Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in service and is granted as service connection.,There is no current diagnosis of hypertension, thus denial of service connection for hypertension.,The Veteran has a qualifying chronic gastrointestinal disability manifested by constipation that began during service and is granted as service connection.,Service connection is denied for right rear leg condition, left rear leg condition, right knee disability, left knee disability, right ankle condition, and left ankle condition due to lack of evidence supporting the onset or relationship to service.,PFB is granted as service connection based on credible lay statements and medical history.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for infertility and hypertension as they were withdrawn by the Veteran in his January 2019 hearing. The claim for an increased rating for tinea pedis of the bilateral feet is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are not service-connected. The issues of service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (secondary to coronary artery disease) and hypertension (due to herbicide exposure or as secondary to coronary artery disease) have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, ischemic heart disease, and hypertension due to inadequate development in prior examinations. The claims are being returned for further action.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and hypothyroidism as secondary to service-connected coronary artery disease and/or due to herbicide agent exposure. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred in or caused by service, including presumed exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's allergy disorder manifested by chronic cough, hypertension, and bilateral knee disability (osteoarthritis) are all granted service connection. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension is presumed to be due to exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Orange. However, the Board has not yet determined if his hypertension is related to service based on this presumption and requires a VA examination for an opinion.

The Veteran's hypertension and fossa meningioma (brain tumor) were not shown to be related to service, including exposure to herbicide agents. The Board denied these claims based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, myocardial bridging, hypertension, and acquired psychiatric disability were not incurred in service.,Specifically, the Board found no evidence of current disabilities for these conditions at the time of the claim or recent to the filing of the claim.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hypertension was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the condition and his military service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was also denied, with an effective date earlier than July 30, 2014 not being granted due to lack of legal or factual basis.

The Veteran's cause of death was not incurred in service or within one year after service, and is not otherwise etiologically linked to any incident of active service. The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran served within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam and whether his diabetes mellitus is related to service with Project SHAD.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder and entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran is required to provide updated information regarding his educational and employment history.

The Board denied service connection for allergies and hypertension, finding that the Veteran's preexisting conditions did not worsen during service or manifest within a year of separation. The Board also found no evidence of in-service complaints or treatment for either condition.

The Veteran's widow applied for death pension due to her need for aid and attendance. The Board found that the appellant, as a son of the Veteran and his widow, was not eligible for accrued benefits because he did not meet the legal criteria to be considered a 'child' for VA purposes. However, the appellant is entitled to reimbursement for expenses he paid out of pocket for his mother's assisted living facility during her last sickness.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for service-connected hypertension, finding that his blood pressure readings did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and hypertension, finding that there is not enough evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and hypothyroidism due to in-service exposure, as well as their secondary service connection with PTSD, MDD, and DMII. The case is being sent back for new VA opinions regarding aggravation.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for tinnitus, disability of the back, and hypertension due to insufficient evidence or conflicting opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension due to insufficient medical evidence in their current evaluations.