Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for residuals from adrenal gland tumor removal, left-hand disability, right-hand disability, and sleep apnea all claimed to be related to exposure to environmental agents from Project SHAD. The appeal was not about service connection at all.

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for high blood pressure, a heart disorder, a stomach disorder, and weak vision. The claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right and left knee conditions, bilateral pes planus, hypertension with chest pain, low back condition, tinnitus, radiculopathy, patellar subluxation, painful motion in knees and feet, and hearing loss, precluded him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment beginning July 1, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as due to herbicide exposure. The claim for service connection for hypothyroidism, which is also presumed related to herbicide exposure, is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension due to potential herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current gastrointestinal disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The cases of gastroesophageal disability (GERD), lower respiratory disability (COPD and asthma), carpal tunnel syndrome, sinus disability, and hypertension are all remanded due to insufficient medical opinions addressing potential service connection.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD, hypertension, lumbosacral spine disability, and OSA is granted with an effective date of May 19, 2013.

The Board has determined that effective dates earlier than the assigned ones cannot be granted for various claims due to lack of evidence showing an increase in disability within one year prior to the claim.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle disability and denied a rating in excess of noncompensable prior to December 15, 2017 for hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted and rendered moot due to the grant of service connection for right ankle disorder in April 2020. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension clearly and unmistakably existed prior to his second period of active service, but was not aggravated during this time. Therefore, service connection for hypertension is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for chronic sinusitis, hypertension, and headaches due to inadequate examinations in September 2020. The VA must provide new examinations that address pre-existence of conditions, aggravation during service, and any relationship with service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted service connection on a presumptive basis. The Veteran's PTSD and MDD are denied an increased rating to 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and respiratory disorder due to insufficient development. The hypertension claim was reopened, but a new VA examination is needed to address whether it is at least as likely as not that the condition is related to service or any incident occurring during service. For the respiratory disorder, a VA examination is also required to determine if it is at least as likely as not that the condition is related to service or any incident occurring during service.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, myopathic syndrome, and diabetes mellitus type II as there was no evidence of these conditions during active duty or ACDUTRA, and the Veteran's current diagnoses were not related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and a heart disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active duty service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service, including exposure to herbicides. As a result, the claim for service connection for hypertension is granted.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to a separate initial rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension related to diabetes mellitus, type II due to incomplete records and the need to make reasonable efforts to obtain specific treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for stroke/CVA as secondary to hypertension and entitlement to SMC based on housebound status and/or the need for aid and attendance due to incomplete development of evidence.