Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of chronic joint pain, ear disorder (other than tinnitus), hypercholesterolemia, or skin disorder. The claims for service connection are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to these conditions during the pendency of the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 30 percent, and the Board has remanded his claims for hypertension, anemia, a lump in the neck, and a lump on the head as they are related to herbicide exposure. The effective date of any new service connection cannot be determined until all necessary evidence is obtained.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, OSA, a neck disorder, left CTS, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to secondary service-connected disabilities. The claims are also remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to May 10, 2011.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and stroke residuals as secondary to hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent her from securing or following substantial gainful employment, and the Board finds she is not unemployable due to her service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for hypertension, including as due to herbicide exposure (Agent Orange), because the VA opinion is inadequate and a new one must be obtained.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea and asthma, left knee arthritis (flexion), partial ACL tear and status post left knee arthroscopy, and left knee arthritis (instability) due to inadequate development.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further action, including scheduling a VA dental examination and providing the Veteran with another opportunity to appear at a VA medical opinion regarding his claimed conditions.

The Board has granted a TDIU for the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The claims of service connection for vitamin D deficiency, higher ratings for nephropathy with hypertension, panic disorder, and diabetes mellitus type II are remanded due to evidence suggesting worsening of these conditions.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is being remanded for further evaluation, specifically to determine if it is related to service-connected conditions or due to other factors.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea but remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension, which is secondary to sleep apnea. The decision on service connection for sleep apnea is based on direct evidence.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right and left ankle disorders, knee disorders, flatfeet, hypertension, headaches, sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus. The claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a new VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions due to the Veteran's failure to attend scheduled VA examinations. The claims will be readjudicated after rescheduling the missed examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy was denied, and his TDIU prior to April 9, 2018, was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder), sleep apnea, and headaches have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board denied the claim for service connection of hypertension, finding that there is no evidence linking the condition to active duty or presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The appellant's hypertension was diagnosed many years after separation from service and without showing continuity of symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and bilateral eye disability, including ocular hypertension and cataracts. The issues are inextricably intertwined due to the potential impact on the hypertension claim.

The Board has granted a TDIU and remanded the issues of an increased rating for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and assignment of an effective date earlier than June 8, 2005, for service connection.