Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if his diabetes mellitus and hypertension are related to his military service. The respiratory condition and neck condition remain remanded.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the prior remand directives and thus the claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has determined that more development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, coronary artery disease, and hypertension. The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for hypertension is dismissed due to severance of service connection. The claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus as secondary to major depressive disorder is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, posttraumatic stress disorder with depressive features, and tinnitus have been granted. The claim for service connection for hypertension has been remanded due to secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension and a skin disorder are being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's left carpal tunnel syndrome is rated at 10 percent, and hypertension is not service-connected. The Board has denied these claims.,Service connection for epilepsy/seizure disorder is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding its etiology.,Service connection for a neurocognitive disorder is also remanded as the Veteran's seizure disorder may be secondary to his PTSD with anxiety and sleep impairment, which requires further clarification.,The Veteran's chronic pain syndrome is related to multiple service-connected disabilities, requiring an addendum opinion to determine if it can be attributed solely to one condition or a combination of conditions.,A TDIU rating prior to March 23, 2016 is also remanded due to the Veteran's seizure disorder, neurocognitive disorder, and chronic pain syndrome.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, to include as due to herbicide exposure, is remanded.

The appeal for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) is dismissed. The appeals for secondary service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease (CAD) are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate examinations and need for additional evidence. The issues of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, low back disability, hypogonadism, and diabetes mellitus are being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including coronary artery disease, an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), hypertension, bilateral knee disability, left wrist arthritis, lower back pain, right leg limp, and right shoulder pain. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's time in service.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, a heart condition, deep vein thrombosis status post amputation of the left leg, and a right leg disability manifested as loss of sensation. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to active service.,Service connection was also denied on a secondary basis because service connection for hypertension had already been denied.

The Veteran's diagnosed hypertension is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's hypertension, including its relationship to service-connected diabetes mellitus and potential herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and thoracic aortic aneurysm as secondary to hypertension due to presumed herbicide exposure. A new VA medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's conditions are related to service, including his presumed Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded the claim for hypertension due to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II and/or acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) as well as exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's current hypertension is being reviewed by a VA examiner who will provide an opinion on its relationship to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including knee disabilities, asthma, COPD, heart disability, hypertension, and carpal tunnel syndromes are all denied.,There is no evidence of any in-service injury or disease that could be linked to the current conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of a compression fracture of the thoracic spine with IVDS and arthritis was denied. Service connection was granted for an adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression, but denied for other conditions including left hip, ankle, foot, and dermatitis disorders.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than paranoid schizophrenia with substance abuse and hypertension, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic disability during or within one year after service. The claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), and the remanded claims are still pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability has been granted, with the April 2006 denial being reopened due to new and material evidence.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is remanded for further examination.