Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's hypertension, which has been manifested by a systolic pressure predominantly greater than 160 but less than 200 and a diastolic pressure predominantly less than 110, does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. Service connection for a psychiatric disorder, heart disorder, bilateral eye disorder, and diabetes mellitus, type II were denied. The issues of service connection for a kidney disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and hypertension are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases of hypertension and right knee disability for further development due to incomplete documentation regarding the qualifications of the examiners.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension due to concerns about weight gain and obesity, which may be related to service-connected conditions such as diabetes mellitus, CAD, back disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, or anxiety disorder NOS with unspecified psychotic disorder.

The Board has determined that new VA opinions are needed to address the various theories of service connection raised by the record, including whether hypertension had its onset during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease, to include exposure to herbicides such as Agent Orange. The Veteran's diabetes and hypertension will also be evaluated for any causal relationship.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, bilateral lower hernia, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, right foot disorder, left foot disorder, skeletal arthritis, sinus disorder, COPD, headaches, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, depression, bilateral eye disorder, erectile dysfunction, or asbestosis. The Board has also found that the Veteran's service connection claims for these conditions are remanded due to outstanding in-service medical records and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, left knee disability, right knee disability, PTSD, erectile dysfunction, and low back disability have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew these claims prior to a decision being made.,Service connection has been granted for hemorrhoids. The evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's current low back disability is related to his service.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease with hypertensive heart disease and myocardial infarction, as well as hypertension, are now effective from December 17, 2020. Additionally, the Veteran is granted a TDIU from December 1, 2018 through December 16, 2020.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and her current hypertension. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the physical loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands or feet, nor ankylosis of either knee. Therefore, he does not qualify for financial assistance in purchasing a vehicle with adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is granted. The claims for hypertension and sleep apnea are remanded, as well as the issue of an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar strain with lumbosacral degenerative joint disease.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for gout and hypertension, but has remanded them due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claims for compensable ratings for right ankle disability, chronic bronchitis, and hypertension can be properly adjudicated. The Veteran's attorney requested new examinations due to reported worsening of his conditions since previous evaluations in 2015.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for PTSD and low back disability, as well as the reopening of previously denied claims for type II diabetes mellitus (DM2), Lyme disease, and hypertension, are being remanded due to incomplete records from the Social Security Administration.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, depression), and restless leg syndrome due to inadequate rationale in previous VA opinions and potential duty-to-assist issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and chronic kidney disease due to Agent Orange exposure. The claims are being reviewed again as there is insufficient evidence in the previous opinions.

The Board has determined that the VA opinions are inadequate and remands for further development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion from a VA examiner to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for CAD and cardiac arrhythmia as secondary to PTSD, hypertension as secondary to PTSD, and a CNS disability as secondary to CAD and cardiac arrhythmia. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during active service. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim is remanded as there are outstanding records and a new examination is needed.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied as he does not meet the schedular criteria and referral for extraschedular consideration is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, depression, and neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to additional development being necessary.