Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for hypertension, as it is secondary to herbicide exposure. The case will be returned after obtaining an addendum opinion from an internist.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in previous opinions and a need for additional development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases of hypertension and erectile dysfunction for additional development to determine if they are caused or aggravated by service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been reopened and granted. The claims for service connection for a heart condition and gastrointestinal disability have been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, irritable colon syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, and sinusitis has been granted. The Board found that the evidence is sufficient to reopen these claims and establish a link between the conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression not otherwise specified was granted. The claims for service connection for congestive heart failure with hypertension and diabetes mellitus were denied, while the liver disability (to include hepatitis C) claim is pending and will be remanded.

The Board has determined that new evidence received after the June 2020 decision warrants readjudication of the claim for service connection for hypertension, including whether it is secondary to PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation since January 31, 2008. The Board has granted an extraschedular TDIU rating for this period.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues related to his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension, which required continuous medication for control of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, is granted a 10 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for obstructive sleep apnea, pulmonary disease, hypertension, and vision loss secondary to hypertension due to additional development being required.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a kidney condition, finding no current chronic kidney disability and concluding that there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between her reported symptoms and any diagnosed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for right deep peroneal nerve neuropathy associated with the Veteran's service-connected right ankle condition. The issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his right ankle condition is remanded due to inadequate examination findings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The effective date for this grant is January 28, 2016.,Service connection for headaches has been remanded as there is no indication that a formal or informal claim was filed prior to January 28, 2016.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for breast cancer and diabetes mellitus, type 2 are remanded due to potential exposure to asbestos during service. Addendum opinions will be obtained regarding the relationship between these conditions and service.,Service connection for a right eye cataract is remanded as there is no indication of in-service injury or disease related to this condition.,Service connection for a heart disability, hypertension, and neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are all remanded. Addendum opinions will be obtained regarding these conditions.,Service connection for headaches remains remanded due to insufficient evidence on record.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is remanded as there is no indication of in-service injury or disease related to this condition.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 is remanded as there is no indication of in-service injury or disease related to this condition.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 30 percent for headaches remains remanded.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and stroke are granted as presumptively related to herbicide agent exposure during service.,Service connection for PTSD is denied due to lack of a formal claim prior to May 2, 2017. The Veteran's PTSD rating from April 30, 2018, is granted at 50 percent.,A TDIU is remanded as the issue has not been fully adjudicated.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted a 10 percent rating for the entire appeal period, as his blood pressure readings met the criteria for a 10 percent rating under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, BPH, cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, bilateral hip disorders, neuropathies of any extremities, glaucoma and cataracts, and heart disorder due to inadequate examination opinions that did not consider the Veteran's work as a combat engineer in service.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, arteriovenous fistula, cerebral aneurysm, migraine headaches, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to outstanding service treatment records and incomplete medical history.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for cardiovascular disorders and associated hypertension disability. The case is remanded to obtain a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's cardiovascular disorders are related to his in-service exposure to dioxins.