Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for a 40 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss beginning January 3, 2019 is granted. The initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss from March 23, 2012 to August 30, 2013 is denied. Service connection for a heart disability including coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and anemia are all denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic kidney disease and hypertension, as these conditions are related to his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and/or secondary to ischemic heart disease. The VA will provide opinions on whether the Veteran's CKD and hypertension were caused by or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain additional medical records, including from SSA. The Veteran's right knee condition is also being reviewed by a VA clinician.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence added to his file and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a bilateral foot disability, to include corns on his feet, and for a sinus related disability, to include headaches. The remaining claims of service connection for hypertension, bilateral ankle arthritis, and bilateral knee arthritis have been reopened but denied.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further medical evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected nephritis with hypertension is denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's cause of death was caused by his service-connected disabilities, specifically his musculoskeletal conditions.

The Veteran's right breast cystic disability and hypertension are granted service connection.

The Veteran's other specified trauma and stress related disorder was not manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, and his hypertension is not shown to have incurred in service or be due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bladder cancer is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during active duty. The claims for chronic back disorder, hyperparathyroidism and/or thyroid disorder, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease are remanded as the evidence does not establish a direct link to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors and to obtain relevant records, including SSA records. The claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error in not obtaining all relevant service treatment and personnel records. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for obesity as it is not considered a disease or injury for which direct or secondary service connection may be granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that hypertension, which was related to his service and contributed substantially to his death, is a direct result of his service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for CAD, hypertension, and GERD due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, stroke, brain tumor (meningioma), bilateral leg muscle weakness, and dizziness. The appeals are related to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for hypertension has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone have not rendered him unemployable at any point during the appellate period, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for hypertension, which is claimed as due to herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran's hypertension was found less likely than not related to in-service herbicide exposure and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's headaches, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and depressive disorder are all found to be related to his active service.,Service connection is granted for these conditions. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the left knee disability, right foot disability, right eye disability, sleep apnea, kidney disability, or skin disability began during service.