Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder due to new evidence received since the April 2013 rating decision. The Veteran's hypertension claim is reopened, but service connection remains denied. Service connection for right and left knee disorders is also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence added to the record, and the AOJ needs to review this evidence in the first instance.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of hypertension and sleep apnea as these conditions have been fully granted with appropriate disability ratings and effective dates.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection for left eye cataracts, liver disease, pityriasis rosacea, left knee osteoarthritis, right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension has been restored or reopened based on new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination.

The Board denied an increased disability rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran's diabetes required only restricted diet and one or more daily injections of insulin with oral hypoglycemic agents during the appeal period. The evidence did not show regulation of activities due to diabetes symptoms.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension and chronic kidney disease due to insufficient examination findings. The Veteran's claim must be reconsidered with an addendum opinion from the examiner.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disease in service and no showing of hypertension manifesting to a degree of 10 percent within one year after separation from service. The Board also found no competent or credible evidence of continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with previous directives, particularly regarding verification of periods of active and inactive duty for training (ACDUTRA/INACDUTRA) during the Veteran's National Guard service. The claim will be further evaluated based on updated VA treatment records and medical nexus opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding medical records and for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, Type II.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction, finding it is due to the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder. However, service connection for hypertension was denied as there was no evidence of its onset during or within a year after service and no medical opinion linking it to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeals on the merits due to the Veteran's death, and no jurisdiction remains for further action.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. Therefore, service connection for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, but denied his claims for bilateral knee disability and hyperlipidemia. The claim of service connection for hypertension is being remanded for further development including a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and whether his hypertension is related to service.

The Board has granted an increased disability rating of 20 percent for pilonidal cyst postoperative scar. The hypertension claim and TDIU claim are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension and an eye condition due to missing scheduled VA examinations. The Veteran should be afforded additional opportunities to appear for these examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for erectile dysfunction, gastrointestinal disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, right ankle disorder, cold injury residuals in the lower extremities, low back disability, and heart disability due to incomplete service records.,The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder and sleep apnea are being remanded as they may be related to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board also directed that an opinion should be obtained on whether the Veteran’s hypertension is secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for cold injury residuals in the lower extremities and right ankle disorder are being remanded as they may be related to his service-connected low back disability. The Board also directed that an opinion should be obtained on whether the Veteran’s heart disability is secondary to his hypertension.,The Veteran's claims of entitlement to a higher rating for right shoulder bursitis and degenerative joint disease prior to December 27, 2019, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter are being remanded due to incomplete service records. The Board directed that an examination should be obtained to estimate the functional loss during flare-ups.,The Veteran's claims for heart disability and hypertension are also being remanded as they may be related to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service or any presumptive exposure to herbicides. The Board concluded that hypertension did not manifest during service and is less likely related to presumed herbicide exposure.