Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service or exposure to herbicides. The Board concluded that the Veteran's hypertension is more likely due to predisposition and lifestyle factors rather than any in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's hypertension and low back disability are granted, with a 10% rating for hypertension prior to January 29, 2020, and the service connection claim for low back disability is granted.

The Veteran's hypertension, right shoulder adhesive capsulitis with bursitis and tendonitis, left shoulder adhesive capsulitis with bursitis and tendonitis, anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, and lumbar spine degenerative spondylosis have been granted service connection. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and PTSD has been denied.

The Board has remanded the cases of hypertension and type II diabetes mellitus for additional development to obtain an opinion on whether these conditions are related to service-connected disabilities, specifically degenerative arthritis of the knees, shoulders, cervical and lumbar spine, radiculopathy associated with lumbar spine arthritis, and left knee meniscal tear.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and heart disorder due to incomplete development of private treatment records and potential herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, erectile dysfunction, residuals of stroke, hypertension, and cataracts as secondary to diabetes. The Board found that there was insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and a diabetic ulcer of the toe. The Veteran's diabetes was not shown to have had its onset during active duty or be otherwise related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to send a copy of the August 2019 Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) to the Veteran's representative, Texas Veterans Commission.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and hypothyroidism, finding no evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension has been reopened and is now considered on the merits. The heart disability (including coronary artery disease) and stroke residuals claims are remanded to allow further development.,A noncompensable rating was assigned for pseudofolliculitis, with no evidence of incapacitating episodes as defined by VA regulations.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hypertension and granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims for service connection for right ankle arthritis (secondary to service-connected right ankle disability) and bilateral hearing loss are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations obtained are inadequate for adjudicating the Veteran's claims. Therefore, an additional remand is necessary to obtain new examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, artery disease of the bilateral legs, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy due to service-connected HIV and/or medications used to treat HIV.,The Veteran's conditions are not found to be directly related to his military service or secondary to his service-connected HIV.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between hypertension and service, specifically Vietnam exposure.

The Veteran's application to reopen claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, hypertension, patella chondromalacia of right knee and left knee, and erectile dysfunction have been granted. The claims are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have met the percentage requirements for a TDIU since October 1, 2013. The Board has granted a TDIU on and after this date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension due to a lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives, specifically regarding scheduling an examination.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, an increased rating for anxiety disorder, and a compensable rating for tinea versicolor due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding service connection for hypertension, specifically whether it is secondary to a service-connected disability and if the Veteran's obesity is related to any of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his respiratory and pulmonary conditions, as well as his high blood pressure. The issues are inextricably intertwined.