Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, finding that it did not manifest in service or within one year after separation and is not shown to be causally related to an in-service event, injury, or disease; or to be related to exposure to herbicide agents; or as secondary to service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed due to the lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives. The case is being returned for further development and adjudication.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that he does not have a current disability of hypertension for VA purposes.

The Veteran's diabetes and diabetic retinopathy are granted as secondary to her service-connected hypothyroidism.,Her hypertension is remanded due to lack of evidence regarding herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's GERD is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD. The cervical spine disorder, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension did not render him in need of the regular assistance of another person or housebound due to his service-connected disability. The Board found that additional nonservice-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer and residuals of such, neck pain, shoulder pain, and a swollen left hand were the causes for needing aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and disabilities have been dismissed due to their death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, with the Board finding that his symptoms prevent him from maintaining such employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, are found to be of such severity that they preclude his ability to maintain substantially gainful employment. The TDIU rating is granted. However, the issue of a higher rating for the back disability remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right eye disability, hypertension, diverticulosis, and gastroenteritis due to inadequate examination findings and lack of opinion regarding the essential reasons for his claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, gastroesophageal disorder (GERD), gastrointestinal disorder (IBS), right knee disability, and left knee disability due to inadequate opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease are granted as service-connected. The left foot disability is remanded for further examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected traumatic dislocation.

The Veteran's dermatitis, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, lumbar spine strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and residuals of a stroke are all granted. The Veteran's lumbar spine strain is rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU as he did not return a completed VA Form 21-8940 to support his claim, and there is no evidence demonstrating that he is unable to obtain or retain gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of myopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia are not service-connected due to their congenital nature. The claims for hypertension, left hip disability, and fibromyalgia have been remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a heart disability, hypertension, and CVA residuals as they are not shown to be related to military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient verification of in-service herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of various disabilities.,New and material evidence has been submitted, allowing the reopening of claims for bilateral hearing loss and stomach disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 and hypertension due to exposure to herbicide agents, as well as his claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to diabetes or hypertension. The Board found that the Veteran did not serve in the Republic of Vietnam and thus was not exposed to herbicides during service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for a skin condition and mouth sores due to his withdrawal of those claims. The issues of service connection for hypertension and OSA are remanded.