Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cardiovascular disorder, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, and a skin disorder due to lack of medical evidence and proper notice regarding his claimed asbestos exposure. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is at least as likely as not secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, left knee disability, and right shoulder disability due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions began during or were caused by his military service.,No new rating was assigned as the decision is solely on the issue of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's cause of death and service connection claims.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension (secondary to coronary artery disease), shortness of breath (secondary to coronary artery disease), valvular heart disease (secondary to coronary artery disease), and cardiac dysrhythmia (secondary to coronary artery disease) are all granted due to exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents at U-Tapao base in Thailand, which is considered presumptive for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for headaches, sleep apnea, hypertension, and an increased rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to ongoing development needs.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for earlier effective dates and service connection, effectively dismissing these claims.

The Veteran's service connection claims for basal cell carcinoma, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), cardiac impairment, pulmonary disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, cataracts, and erectile dysfunction are remanded due to insufficient evidence of record.

The Board has decided to remand the service connection claims for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and bilateral lower extremity venous insufficiency as secondary to the service-connected asbestosis. The VA medical opinion provided prior to the rating decision is inadequate.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for hypertension is granted, with the effective date set at March 25, 2011. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of hypertension is denied.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for recurrent alopecia areata and hypertension were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA disability rating schedule.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was granted, with the AOJ reinstating the appeal due to a timely filed substantive appeal after requesting an extension of time.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for asthma, restrictive lung disease, an acquired psychiatric disorder to include anxiety, and hypertension. The Veteran was not provided with VA examinations as required by law.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and secondary service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) as a result of the Veteran's hypertension. The decision is based on clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran did not have hypertension prior to service, but it worsened during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, low back, right knee, left knee, and hypertension disabilities due to incomplete development of records and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including COPD, sinusitis/rhinitis, and cardiovascular conditions, prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to December 30, 2008. The Board granted compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for left foot skin graft residuals and TDIU benefits effective March 16, 2005.

The Board has dismissed the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as there remains no justiciable case or controversy. The Veteran's asthma and pulmonary hypertension are currently rated at 50 percent, but a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension and hepatitis C have been reopened, but further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions. The Veteran also has several other service connection claims that are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for a pulmonary condition, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and cirrhosis of liver.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and hypertension did not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational history prior to August 2, 2014.