Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating of greater than 10 percent is not warranted based on his blood pressure readings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for hypertension, as it was not adequately addressed in previous examinations and there is a need to obtain additional medical records. The Veteran's representative raised the issue of secondary service connection to diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for pancreatic cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension due to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune. Additional development is needed including obtaining private treatment records from Dr. Christein, Dr. Voyles, and Dr. Gray, as well as VA medical opinions on the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted an initial compensable rating of 10 percent for the service-connected hypertension. The issues of entitlement to a TDIU and an increased rating for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder and PTSD, as well as hypertension. The decision is based on new evidence provided by the Veteran regarding his in-service sexual assault.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, hypertension, basal cell carcinoma, and multiple lipomas due to in-service herbicide exposure. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since September 15, 2015. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and heart condition due to insufficient reasoning in previous opinions, particularly regarding the relationship between any current heart disorder and service. The claims are now pending again.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50% from December 1, 2010 to October 22, 2012; and since March 1, 2013. The rating has been increased to 70% effective September 16, 2020.

Service connection is granted for bilateral tinnitus. The Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure.,Service connection is denied for heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, and diabetes mellitus, II. These conditions are not shown to be related to service.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and prostate cancer, finding no evidence of a nexus to military service or exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the lack of a current diagnosis.,Service connection is granted for hypertension, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's initial rating for hyperkeratosis from March 1, 2014 is being remanded due to the VA examiner not accounting for the Veteran’s documented medical history and symptoms.,The Veteran's IBS with heartburn and pyrosis claim is also being remanded as the Board did not consider whether he was entitled to separate compensable ratings under different diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for patellofemoral syndrome of both knees and blurred vision. The remaining claims are also being remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension due to herbicide exposure and secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease. The VA medical opinions provided evidence against these claims, concluding that there is no causal relationship between the Veteran’s hypertension and either herbicide exposure or his service-connected CAD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an opinion on whether the service-connected diabetes mellitus aggravates the hypertension. The VA will provide an addendum opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining relevant treatment records and associating them with his claims file.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it is not related to his active duty military service or to his service-connected diabetes and/or heart disease.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to issues with the qualifications of the medical opinion provider and for obtaining updated clinical records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, as secondary to PTSD, will be reconsidered.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for high blood pressure, chronic fatigue syndrome, and frequent nose bleeds. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection or due to an undiagnosed illness.