Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for heart condition and hypertension, including as secondary to a heart condition. The claims are being returned for additional development, such as obtaining updated VA treatment records and contacting the Veteran.

The Veteran's hypertension and migraine headaches were denied as they did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating during the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, hypertension with cardiomyopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are all granted. The Veteran is also entitled to SMC at the housebound rate due to his multiple service-connected disabilities. Service connection for a right eye cataract remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of service connection for hypertension is granted, and his increased rating for hypertension to the maximum allowed (10%) is also granted.

The Board has dismissed all appeals regarding service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disability, heart disease, and hypertension. The appeals seeking increased ratings and compensation were also dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for chronic angina, hypertension, and nerve disability of the bilateral upper extremities due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's periods of active duty service with Air Force Reserves. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the remand is necessary due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension. The claims for heart disease, residuals of a CVA, and PAD are also being remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the hypertension claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, requiring a new opinion on whether hypertension had its onset during service or is related to service.

The Veteran's hypertension is manifested by diastolic pressure no more than 94 and systolic pressure no more than 143, requiring continuous medication. The Board denied a compensable evaluation for hypertension as the criteria were not met.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and nephrolithiasis, requesting additional opinions to address whether the conditions are related to service or secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of gastrointestinal and genitourinary disabilities, as well as bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and hypertension. Service connection is granted for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy with dystonia, and left lower and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathies due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, finding a medical nexus between in-service herbicide exposure and these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a low back disorder and effective dates prior to May 27, 2015 for right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome has been dismissed.,A 50 percent rating is granted for migraines since January 14, 2020.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to the need to obtain additional records from his treatment at the Hampton VA Medical Center.

The Board has dismissed all appeals for effective dates earlier than July 1, 2016, as the Veteran died during the pendency of these appeals.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including low back disability, neck disability, bipolar disorder, type II diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, and neuropathies. The Board found no in-service incurrence of these disabilities or evidence linking them to active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, bladder cancer, ischemic heart disease, and hypertension are all granted. The claim for PTSD is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a TIA, finding no current residual effects and attributing the Veteran's symptoms to unrelated conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for hypertension, as it requires obtaining additional treatment records.