Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple issues has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of her appeal by her authorized representative.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at a 10 percent level, effective August 2, 2012. The rating was granted because the Veteran requires continuous medication to control her hypertension and keep her diastolic pressure below 100 and her systolic pressure below 160.

The Board has remanded the claim for hypertension as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II due to inadequate medical opinion in September 2020. The Veteran contends that he developed hypertension since service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been granted.,The reopened claim of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, a back disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The rating for the residuals of broken nose is also granted.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted service connection. From October 26, 2013, a disability rating of 20 percent for the right knee condition is granted. Prior to September 17, 2020, a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the left knee condition is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee condition, hypertension, and kidney disorder on substitution purposes.,Service connection is also granted for hypertension due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange).,Service connection is granted for kidney disorder secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for cardiovascular disease, including hypertension, due to a lack of an adequate statement of reasons and bases regarding the November 1967 blood pressure reading.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including cardiological disability other than hypertension, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, psychiatric disability, stomach disability, eye disability, kidney disability, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, and arthritis. The Veteran is advised to provide updated medical records and attend a new hearing if desired.

The Board has ordered the RO to obtain additional service records and provide an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the respiratory disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, heart disorder, hypertension, and hypothyroid disorder. The issues have been remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's hypertension was initially denied for the period from January 1, 2012 to October 31, 2015. However, a ten percent disability evaluation is granted beginning November 1, 2015.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity on a direct basis, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the claim for hypertension due to presumed herbicide exposure, as new evidence suggests a possible association between hypertension and Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU from February 13, 2018. Additionally, his single service-connected disability rated at 100 percent (PTSD) combined with additional disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more qualify him for SMC under specific VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's eye conditions are aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's nonservice-connected pension benefits for the period prior to September 15, 2019 were denied due to his not being permanently and totally disabled from nonservice-connected disabilities.,For the period after September 15, 2019, the Veteran's income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate (MAPR) for a Veteran with no dependents.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's erectile dysfunction and hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability separate and distinct from cardiac arrhythmia, hypertension, and sinus bradycardia. The evidence did not support finding that these conditions began during service or were related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has found that the Veteran's colon polyps, hypertension, and stroke are not related to his active duty service or herbicide exposure. The appeal is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, has been reopened. The Board is remanding this issue due to the need to corroborate in-service stressors.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened. The Board is also remanding this issue as it is inextricably intertwined with the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been reopened. The Board is also remanding this issue as it is inextricably intertwined with the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II has been reopened. The Board is also remanding this issue as it is inextricably intertwined with the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, and hypertension.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction has been reopened. The Board is also remanding this issue as it is inextricably intertwined with the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, and left arm disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left arm disability has been reopened. The Board is also remanding this issue as it is inextricably intertwined with the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and erectile dysfunction.