Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's hypertension was manifested by a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more that required continuous medication for control. The Board found the evidence did not support an increased rating as his blood pressure readings were below the threshold for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension, both found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected conditions. Service connection for an eating disorder is dismissed as the appeal was not about this issue. The rating for hearing loss prior to January 27, 2020, remains at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disability, and obstructive sleep apnea. The claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary arteriosclerosis and remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension as secondary to PTSD with panic attacks has been dismissed due to the Veteran and his representative withdrawing their appeal.

The Veteran's headaches have been rated at the highest schedular rating of 50 percent throughout the appeal period, effective February 22, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension and heart disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for hypertension or a disability rating greater than 30 percent for heart disability.

The Veteran's nephrolithiasis (kidney stones) is granted with a rating of 30 percent. The right-hand disability and joint pain disorder are both remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including peripheral neuropathy and hypertension, all related to herbicide exposure during service. The issues are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's appeal on the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for hypertension and right knee sprain has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's Crohn's disease is granted with a rating of 60 percent, but no greater. The Veteran's shingles scars are denied as not meeting the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment from February 1, 2000. The effective date for the TDIU is set at February 1, 2000.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as they are not related to active military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives.,An addendum opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's current conditions are related to service, caused by a service-connected condition, or aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, and a chronic condition manifested by memory loss and syncope due to inadequate reasons or bases in the November 2019 decision. The Court held that the Board did not explain why contact with an area identified as an herbicide testing location could expose the Veteran to herbicides.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for emphysema and COPD due to asbestos exposure, hypertension, and stroke secondary to service-connected hypertension. The appeals are now remanded for further development regarding esophageal cancer.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper extremities, COPD, hypertension, and venous insufficiency.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of hypertension is not related to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and tremors due to incomplete development of his service personnel records, including ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA dates. The VA will need to obtain these records and confirm the Veteran's duty location in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.

The Board has decided to remand the service connection claims for hypertension, epilepsy, and bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of VA examinations. The Veteran's active duty includes service in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension but remanded the issue of service connection for a right foot disability due to in-service tinea pedis and foot ulcers.