Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2021

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for hypertension and stroke due to a failure to obtain relevant Social Security Administration (SSA) records that could have supported the Veteran's disability benefits claim.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, DM II, right-hand injury, skin disease, HTN, bilateral eye disability, and peripheral neuropathy, bilateral lower extremity are all found to be related to service. The claims for ED, peripheral neuropathy, bilateral upper extremity, and left-hand injury were not reopened due to lack of new and relevant evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, hypertension, prostate condition, and left eye condition due to Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran also had his PTSD disability rating increased but is still seeking higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding opinions on whether the Veteran's sleep apnea was caused by his service-connected disabilities. The case is now remanded for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as PTSD, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and diabetes mellitus, type II. The Veteran's reported stressors were not verified, and there was no medical evidence linking his current conditions to service.,Service connection was also denied for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (diagnosed as diabetic neuropathy), left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (diagnosed as diabetic neuropathy), right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (diagnosed as diabetic neuropathy), and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (diagnosed as diabetic neuropathy).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment since October 7, 2014.,The Veteran is currently entitled to a TDIU rating on a schedular basis effective September 8, 2015. However, his case was remanded for additional development regarding service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension as secondary to his service-connected migraine headaches, finding no competent evidence of a nexus between the two conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition, finding that there was no evidence of aggravation or in-service injury leading to his current heart murmur and hypertension. The Board also found that the Veteran did not have any symptoms related to these conditions during service.

The application to reopen the claim of service connection for Parkinson's disease was granted. Service connection for a cardiovascular disorder and diabetes mellitus type II were denied.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension on a secondary basis. The issues of bilateral peripheral neuropathy and cervical spine disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions to determine if the Veteran's heart condition is related to his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for left lower extremity neuropathy has been dismissed due to his withdrawal.,Service connection for weight gain is denied as obesity does not qualify as a disability for VA compensation purposes.,The Veteran's back disability remains on remand, with the need for an addendum opinion regarding its etiology and whether it is proximately due or aggravated by service-connected left total knee replacement and/or right foot metatarsalgia with pes planus.,Right lower extremity varicose veins and left lower extremity varicose veins remain on remand, requiring an addendum opinion to determine their etiology and whether they are secondary to service-connected left total knee replacement and/or right foot metatarsalgia with pes planus.,Erectile dysfunction remains on remand, requiring an addendum opinion regarding its etiology and whether it is secondary to medications for service-connected disabilities or hypertension.,Hypertension remains on remand, requiring an addendum opinion regarding its etiology and whether it is directly related to service or secondary to service-connected left total knee replacement and/or right foot metatarsalgia with pes planus.

The Veteran's renal failure with hypertension was rated at 60 percent prior to November 7, 2017 and increased to 80 percent from that date. The Board denied a higher rating for the disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to service or caused by his service-connected PTSD with insomnia. The AOJ must obtain relevant VA and private treatment records, as well as SSA disability benefits records.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during service and are related to his current diagnosis. The decision is based on evidence showing multiple elevated blood pressure readings during service and in-service suspicion of hypertension.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is presumed to have been incurred in service. The chronic sinus disorder, hypertension, and bilateral otosclerosis are not considered to be related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension were all granted. However, the effective dates for these awards are prior to April 8, 2013. The claim for special monthly compensation based on housebound status was denied as the Veteran did not meet the criteria at any point during the appeal period.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, tinnitus, diabetic retinopathy, and tension headaches. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acute promyelocytic leukemia, low back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and high blood pressure have been granted. The evidence provided a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Board has already granted service connection for hypertension, so the current appeal is moot.