Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lung cancer, brain cancer, hemiplegia of the right lower extremity, and seizures due to potential asbestos exposure during active service.,The claim for service connection for hypertension remains denied as there is no evidence linking it to service or secondary to asbestos exposure.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding hypertension, migraines, ischemic heart disease, and the increased rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension as secondary to PTSD due to inconclusive opinions and need for further development.

The Veteran's claims for erectile dysfunction, PTSD, and tinnitus have been dismissed as they were granted in the July 2020 rating decision.,The Veteran’s right little finger disability claim has been remanded due to lack of a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his hypertensive vascular disease, which includes hypertension and isolated systolic hypertension.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, low back disorder, and hypertension. Service connection was granted for erectile dysfunction (ED) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes.,Diabetes, low back disorder, and hypertension were not shown during or within one year after service.

The Veteran withdrew his petition to reopen a claim for service connection for hypertension, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Board has ordered remand for further development on several service connection claims, including joint pain in the hands and feet, skin disorder to the feet, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The issues remain on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, bilateral foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and lumbar spine disability as there was no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied due to lack of evidence showing in-service incurrence or aggravation.,Service connection for tinnitus is denied as the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that it began during active duty or is related to noise exposure.,Service connection for a neck disorder is denied as there is no evidence linking the condition to service, and the Veteran's current diagnosis is attributed to natural aging process rather than in-service injury.,Service connection for hypertension is denied due to lack of evidence showing in-service incurrence or aggravation.,Service connection for a right knee disorder is denied as there is no evidence showing it began during active duty or is related to noise exposure.,Service connection for left knee disability is granted with a 20% rating effective from November 14, 2016.,Service connection for lumbar spine disability is denied due to lack of evidence showing in-service incurrence or aggravation.,Service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is granted with a 10% rating effective from June 11, 2018.,Service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is denied as there is no evidence showing it began during active duty or is related to noise exposure.,Service connection for somatic symptom disorder with predominant pain is granted with a rating in excess of 70% effective from November 14, 2016.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, and requests that an addendum opinion be provided regarding the baseline level of disability prior to aggravation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is related to his presumed exposure to herbicides during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

An effective date of March 3, 2015, for a 60 percent rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) is granted.,A 100 percent rating as of June 14, 2017, but no earlier, for CAD is granted.,An effective date of June 14, 2017, but no earlier, for the grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate is granted.,A rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD for accrued benefits is denied.,A rating higher than 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II (DMII), with erectile dysfunction, for accrued benefits is denied.,Rating higher than 30 percent prior to August 9, 2019, and higher than 60 percent thereafter for diabetic nephropathy with hypertension for accrued benefits is denied.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is granted service connection, while his right ear hearing loss and other conditions are denied. Service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease (CAD) is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for hypertension and stroke as there is insufficient evidence to determine their relationship to service, including potential secondary effects from other service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for hypertension and hand arthritis due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD and hypertension due to service connection. For PTSD, the Veteran needs to provide evidence of a verified in-service stressor related to MST. For hypertension, VA will attempt to determine if it is secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's entitlement to a higher rating for his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) was granted from February 11, 2020 to June 30, 2020. The effective date of the grant is not specified.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for GERD, hypertension, and sleep apnea due to noncompliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's current gastrointestinal disorder is not established.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and vision problems, all of which are alleged to be due to radiation exposure. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional information from the Veteran regarding his in-service radiation exposure and refer this information to a credible source for a more detailed dose assessment.