Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, mood disorders, and depression. The Board found that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2.

The Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus type II are granted as presumptively related to service due to herbicide exposure. Service connection is also granted for left knee, right knee, and lower back conditions, all presumed to be caused by herbicide exposure. The esophageal condition (GERD) is remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for cerebellar ataxia, prostate cancer, kidney stones, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea due to outstanding VA treatment records that need to be obtained.

The Board has found that the service connection decisions for hypertension and chronic kidney disease need to be remanded due to incomplete medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's hypertension and its relation to her service, particularly given conflicting medical records. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for idiopathic vasovagal syncope.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed due to his withdrawal of the issues. The Board also noted that new VA examinations are needed for some of the disabilities on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, stroke, and multi-infarct dementia. The Veteran's hypertension was not caused by an in-service event or injury.,The Board also denied service connection for the Veteran's stroke, stating that it did not have its onset during service and was not related to his service-connected heart disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The examiner is required to provide an addendum opinion regarding whether hypertension is related to presumed in-service herbicide exposure, and if so, whether it caused or aggravated erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's left foot degenerative joint disease with plantar fasciitis is granted a 10 percent rating prior to May 23, 2016. The Board denied entitlement to TDIU due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities not precluding him from securing or following substantial gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for pelvic disability, hypertension, and lumbar strain, degenerative arthritis of the spine, spinal stenosis, and IVDS. The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for dermatophytosis pedis, head trauma with headaches, upper back injury, lower back injury, hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The issues are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's hypertension was not related to service or any aspect thereof, including in-service exposure to herbicide agents and service-connected CAD or PTSD. Service connection for hypertension is denied.

Service connection for bladder cancer is granted, and effective dates are assigned for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and diabetic nephropathy with hypertension. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is granted.

The Veteran's death is service-connected due to his exposure to chemicals during his Southwest Asia service, even though the cancer that caused it was not directly linked to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for hypertension. The examiner is asked to address whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service-connected disabilities or herbicide exposure.

The appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims. The low back disability, OSA, acquired psychiatric disorder (excluding PTSD), right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right knee chondromalacia patella, and left knee chondromalacia patella claims have all been reopened.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and a sleep disorder. The Board found that there was no causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to incomplete medical opinions, unobtained VA treatment records, and need for further examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions should be remanded to allow for consideration of new evidence.