Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's cause of death is granted due to his fatal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and diabetes, presumed to be caused by exposure to Agent Orange during service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, primarily his coronary artery disease and PTSD, do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for neuropathy of the bilateral hands and feet, hypertension, and adenocarcinoma with status post colon resection residuals due to new evidence received. The claim for service connection for atrial fibrillation is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, including as secondary to adjustment disorder with anxiety (claimed as PTSD), is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the November 2019 VA medical opinion. The Board finds that further examination and a new opinion are needed.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected PTSD has caused any additional medically discernible functional impairment of his hypertension, even if temporary.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for uterine fibroids is granted. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's request to reopen claims for service connection of various conditions has been granted. The Board finds that the Veteran now meets the criteria for service connection for a right knee strain.,Additional development is needed due to the Veteran's complaints of worsening symptoms and lack of recent VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The case is remanded for further examination and consideration of his bilateral knee disability and left elbow disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding no current diagnosis of hypertension and thus no basis to grant service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the claims of service connection for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, cerebral vascular accident (CVA), and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, left shoulder arthritis, diabetes mellitus, and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment since February 22, 2016. The Board finds that the combined effect of these disabilities has precluded his ability to work.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension. The examiner is requested to consider the Veteran's lay statements and other evidence in their assessment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in Guam, which is a necessary step before determining service connection for his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal regarding both the increase in rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and the reduction in rating is dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical examination and opinion regarding service connection for hypertension, which may be related to or aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus type two.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of prostate cancer is granted.,Service connection for hypertension as due to exposure to herbicide agents is remanded. The AOJ should verify the Veteran's in-service exposure to herbicide agents and provide a VA examination if necessary.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches is remanded. A VA examination is needed to determine whether his current migraines are related to military service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded. The AOJ should obtain updated VA treatment records and afford the Veteran a VA examination if necessary.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability, presumed to be skin cancer, due to exposure to herbicide agents is remanded. The AOJ should verify his in-service exposure to herbicide agents and provide a VA examination if necessary.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, presumed to be PTSD, is remanded. The AOJ should obtain the Veteran's SSA records and afford him a VA examination.

The Veteran's initial rating for supraventricular arrhythmia is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated noncompensable, and no increased rating is granted due to lack of documented blood pressure readings at or above the required thresholds.,A 50 percent initial rating is granted for migraines based on their frequency and severity impacting work capacity.,Right shoulder strain remains rated as noncompensable. The VA examiner's examination was deemed inadequate, particularly regarding the assessment of flare-ups.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and CAD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to in-service elevated blood pressure levels and that the currently diagnosed CAD was caused by the now service-connected hypertension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction due to deficiencies in previous VA opinions. The case is returned for further development, including obtaining clarification on whether the Veteran's hypertension was aggravated by his service-connected chronic kidney disease.

The Board has not complied with its previous remand orders and the case is being returned for further development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion on whether hypertension is related to service.