Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of right hand condition, left hand condition, hypertension, heart condition, prostate condition, tinnitus, and anxiety disorder.,All remaining issues are remanded to further develop evidence.

The Board granted service connection for an anxiety disorder, asthma, and migraine headaches with specific ratings and effective dates. The appellant is entitled to additional attorney fees based on the past-due benefits awarded from November 13, 2018 through January 28, 2019.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, CVA/stroke as secondary to hypertension, bilateral lower extremity PVD as secondary to hypertension, right middle ear cholesteatoma, and left middle ear cholesteatoma. The reasons include the lack of a showing of chronic symptoms in service or within one year after separation from service, and the absence of evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Veteran's claims for arthritis, right knee; chondromalacia, Baker’s cyst, and possible fibroma, left knee; slipped discs of the spine (cervical and thoracolumbar); depression; and hypertension have been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly pension (SMP) based on being housebound or needing regular aid and attendance, finding that the evidence did not show a need for such benefits.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for genital warts has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.,The Veteran’s claims for service connection for left and right leg conditions, left foot condition, right foot condition, vision condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depressive disorder), and hypertension have all been remanded due to inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for a medical examination to determine if it is related to service, including exposure to herbicide agents. The Board finds that the current evidence does not establish this relationship and requires additional information.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee condition, left knee condition, and hypertension. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence sufficient to readjudicate the previously denied claims for service connection for a heart condition, hypertension, and OSA has been received. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board denied both increased rating claims for hypertension and GERD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound status was denied as he is not in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to the lack of a VA examination addressing the relationship between his immune, joint, sinus, pulmonary, psychiatric, and hypertension disabilities and active service. The Veteran is also required to provide information about any private healthcare providers who have treated him for these conditions.

The Veteran's skin disorder, including acne, is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the February 2020 VA medical opinion.,The Veteran's heart disorder (including non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, atrial flutter and congestive heart failure) is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the February 2020 VA medical opinion regarding its relationship to hypertension.,The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the February 2020 VA medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation due to potential missing private treatment records and additional JSRRC searches for Air Force flights from U-Tapao to Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension, as well as the relationship between in-service weight gain and these conditions. The peripheral neuropathy claim is also remanded because it is inextricably intertwined with the diabetes mellitus type II claim.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for PTSD, OSA, Hypertension, and GERD due to insufficient medical evidence in the record.

The Board has dismissed the claim for an earlier effective date for hypertension due to lack of appeal. The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, and his left ankle disability remains remanded as it does not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and needs further medical opinions regarding service connection for the Veteran's cause of death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep disorder and hypertension due to incomplete examination reports and the need for additional medical opinions.