Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to herbicide agent exposure or other contaminants, including for diabetes mellitus, type II; hypothyroidism; hypertension; lumbar spine disorder; diabetic retinopathy; peripheral neuropathy; glaucoma; and residuals of a myocardial infarction.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected.,Service connection for hypertension and heart disease are denied. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition (to include depression and anxiety) is remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an addendum opinion to address the Veteran's tachycardia claim. The service connection for PCOS, Tachycardia, and Hypertension remains denied.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of a total disability rating based on unemployability (TDIU) as there is no evidence that the Veteran filed a formal or informal claim for TDIU benefits prior to September 17, 2012.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and a cardiovascular disorder, as well as compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for the CV disorder. The appeals were based on the Veteran's contention that his current conditions are related to his military service, but the evidence did not support this claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain VA treatment records and for an addendum medical opinion regarding his sleep apnea. The TDIU claim will be considered again as part of the increased PTSD rating claim.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for hypertension and polycythemia as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II and/or diabetic nephropathy, or herbicide exposure due to insufficient medical opinions provided.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding no evidence of a relationship to his service or his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for hypertension due to herbicide exposure as there is insufficient evidence in the current medical literature to support a connection between hypertension and herbicide exposure. The examiner must consider more recent NAS Institute of Medicine Update which states that there is 'sufficient' evidence of an association.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as related to his exposure to herbicide agents during service. The residuals of a left-sided CVA are also granted, with the Board finding that they are secondary to his now-service-connected hypertension.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension, finding that there is no legal basis to award secondary service connection due to lack of a service-connected disability. The preponderance of evidence does not support a direct relationship between the Veteran's conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an eye disability, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and erectile dysfunction (ED) due to insufficient medical opinions on their etiology. The Veteran's assertions of in-service injury are consistent with his combat service, but a VA examination is needed to determine if his current conditions are related to his service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at a 10 percent disability rating, and the Board found that it does not warrant an increase to a higher rating based on his blood pressure readings.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a heart disability, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to incomplete records. Additional VA examinations are needed to consider the Veteran's periods of Guard/Reserve Active Service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for lumbar and heart disabilities, bilateral hearing loss disability. The remaining claims were denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical opinions to address the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous remand instructions, and additional development is needed including obtaining workers' compensation records.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for COPD, asthma, a disability manifested by high cholesterol, hypertension, and a back disability due to additional development being necessary.