Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's residuals of shrapnel wound to left ankle are denied an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for erectile dysfunction and a vision condition, as well as hypertension. The Veteran's claims are currently pending.

The Veteran's bilateral ocular hypertension is rated at a minimum of 10 percent due to the requirement for continuous medication, resulting in an overall noncompensable rating. However, as he requires continuous medication, he is granted a compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran will need a VA examination to determine if his conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension and left inguinal hernia, status post repair, were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a duty to assist error in prior rating decisions, and requests that new evidence be provided for service connection claims.

The Veteran's appeal was granted as his VA Form 9 was submitted in a timely manner, despite the initial mailing of the SOC to an old address. The issues related to service connection and increased ratings for various conditions were addressed.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for service-connected hypertension was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's blood pressure readings did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under Diagnostic Code 7101.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of tendonitis. The Veteran's claims for gastroenteritis, TBI, acquired psychiatric disability, hypertension, and headache disability are all remanded due to insufficient evidence or further clarification is needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been denied as there is no evidence of current tinnitus or a diagnosis thereof.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), erectile dysfunction, left knee condition, right hip condition, and hypertension have all been remanded due to incomplete development in the schizoaffective disorder claim.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been granted a maximum 100 percent disability rating effective December 3, 2013.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to major depressive disorder was also granted.

The Board has remanded the cases of the Veteran's skin disorder and hypertension due to inadequate medical opinions in previous decisions. The claims are now pending for further development.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed as he does not have any service-connected disabilities. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension, heart palpitations, alcohol abuse (claimed as necrotizing pancreatitis), and an acquired psychiatric disability to obtain additional records.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for examinations addressing his service-connected disabilities and their impact on employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to substantially comply with an April 2019 Memorandum Decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC). Specifically, VA was not able to locate all of the Veteran's service treatment records and personnel records under an alternative Social Security number beginning with 324.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and a need for additional opinions regarding the Veteran's hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected dermatomyositis and heart conditions, which manifested in service, were proximate causes of his fatal coronary artery disease. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and verifying the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange. The cause of death is being considered based on presumed Agent Orange exposure.