Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2021

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for hypertension and stroke due to insufficient medical opinions addressing all theories of entitlement, including herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including Type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, neurological disabilities of the hands, multiple myeloma, and a respiratory disorder to include asthma with chronic cough are all denied as there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction secondary to PTSD. The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service.,Service connection was granted based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam and Thailand.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an updated VA examination and opinion regarding the relationship between hypertension and exposure to herbicide agents, as new evidence from NAS suggests sufficient association.

Service connection for liver disorder, heart disorder, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type 2, right lower extremity disorder, left lower extremity disorder, kidney disorder, and COPD was denied.,The Veteran's service treatment records did not show any relevant conditions or exposures that would support these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder, type II diabetes mellitus, and hypertension due to lack of evidence of herbicide exposure during service. The Board found that there was no in-service event or injury related to these conditions.

The Board found that the severance of service connection for right lower extremity and left lower extremity radiculopathy was improper, as there is conflicting evidence regarding the diagnosis.,A remand has been ordered to obtain VA examinations for the Veteran's right wrist and left knee disabilities. The effective date for a 10 percent rating for right wrist degenerative joint disease must also be determined.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disability resulting from VA treatment with Avandia was denied as there is no evidence of negligence or other fault on the part of VA medical professionals.

The Veteran's high blood pressure is granted a 10 percent rating, but no higher. The Board has found that the Veteran's knee disabilities and kidney condition are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active-duty service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection on all four conditions due to the appellant's request to withdraw his appeals prior to a decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted, rendering the appeal moot. The Board dismissed this issue as there is no justiciable issue before it.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, sleep apnea, COPD, and a heart condition have been reopened. A rating of 20 percent has been granted for his lumbar spine disability since June 14, 2018.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for clarification medical opinions regarding whether hypertension was incurred in service, including as a result of exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with these additional opinions.

The Board denied service connection for erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. The Veteran's current conditions were not shown to be causally related to his military service or any service-connected condition.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding no evidence of a direct relationship to service or any other theory of entitlement. The Veteran's representative argued that the condition was secondary to PTSD medication and/or due to herbicide exposure, but VA medical opinions found no causal link.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the service connection claims for ischemic heart disease, plaque psoriasis, hypogonadism with low testosterone, psoriatic joint pain, hypertension, sciatic nerve pain, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The AOJ should consider all evidence of record in this supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeals.