Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate compliance with previous remand instructions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions and missing records. The Veteran's hypertension will need further examination and opinion regarding its onset during service, relationship to service, and whether it is related to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, special home adaptation grant, individual unemployability, and aid and attendance/housebound benefits have been dismissed as the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal. The service connection claims are also dismissed due to the death of both the Veteran and his surviving spouse.

The Board dismissed all issues related to service connection for hypertension and prostate cancer, as well as the effective date of a disability rating for prostate cancer.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's current hypertension began during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease. The claim for service connection for hypertension is therefore denied.

The Veteran was granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, ischemic heart disease, and hypertension due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his military service in Korea.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea is service connected, but has remanded for further action on his hypertension claim due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions and a need for further medical evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as his non-service-connected cataracts prevented him from securing or following such employment.

The Board has remanded all issues on appeal due to the need for further development and evidence collection. The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart disability, stroke with residuals, and sleep apnea have not been substantiated by the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the link between herbicide agent exposure and hypertension. An expert opinion from an internal medicine specialist is needed to address this issue under the 'at least as likely as not' standard.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The Appellant submitted lay statements and medical opinions, but these were found to be cumulative or redundant of previous evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other disabilities prevented him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment since December 3, 2003. The TDIU claim is granted for the period from December 3, 2003 to January 31, 2016.

The Veteran's upper respiratory disability, including sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, is considered service-connected.,Obstructive sleep apnea is found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and upper respiratory disabilities.,Hypertension is also found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's bladder cancer is granted service connection as due to herbicide agent exposure. The claims for hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorder, OSA, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypogonadism, skin conditions (including skin cancer), asthma, and hypertension due to herbicide exposure. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate etiology opinions regarding his conditions. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for hypokalemia, anemia, a lump on head, a lump on neck, or hypertension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of multiple extremities due to conflicting evidence and need for further medical opinions.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and rating determinations. The Veteran's dental trauma claim is denied as new and material evidence was not received. Hypertension, bilateral wrist disorder, right thumb contusion, allergic rhinitis, and headaches are all remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as unspecified anxiety disorder, has been granted. The appeal for service connection for hypertension is remanded.