Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2021

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, heart disability (including coronary arteriosclerosis and acute coronary syndrome), and type II diabetes mellitus. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's hypertension and kidney disorder are being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine their etiology, including consideration of service connection based on herbicide exposure. The issues of secondary service connection for hypertension due to ischemic heart disease and the onset of kidney stones during or within one year of separation from service are also being addressed.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for asthma and remanded the claims for type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The appeals are now pending before VA for further review.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a skin condition identified as skin bursts associated with herbicide exposure is dismissed.,Service connection for hypertension associated with herbicide exposure is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension due to issues with obtaining an adequate opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's disabilities and his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claim for tinnitus is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the hearing loss claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and bilateral lower extremity diabetic polyneuropathy due to insufficient evidence from previous examinations, and new evidence received since the last SSOC.

The appeal seeking entitlement to service connection for a back disability is dismissed.,The appeal seeking entitlement to service connection for cirrhosis of the liver is dismissed.,The appeal seeking entitlement to service connection for a heart disability is dismissed.,The appeal seeking entitlement to service connection for high blood pressure is dismissed.,The appeal seeking entitlement to service connection for a left hip disability is dismissed.,The appeal seeking entitlement to service connection for a right hip disability is dismissed.,The appeal seeking entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea is dismissed.,The appeal seeking entitlement to service connection for tinnitus is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED) related to and a result of his service-connected alcohol use disorder, but denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and hypertension secondary to service-connected psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, which contributed to his death, had its onset in service and is therefore a contributory cause of death. As such, the claim for service connection for cause of death is granted.

The Board dismissed the claim of service connection for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II because it lacks jurisdiction due to an error in issuing a Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an independent medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities aggravated his obesity, which in turn caused his hypertension.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board found that his blood pressure did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of diastolic or systolic pressure predominantly reaching 110 or more and 200 or more respectively.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cardiomyopathy, finding that there was no evidence linking his current heart disability to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service, including in-service elevated blood pressure readings.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and vascular dementia due to in-service exposure to an herbicide agent, as these issues are intertwined with other claims. Additional development is required.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension and sleep apnea. The claims are not currently decided on service connection.

Service connection is granted for tinea pedis. Service connection is denied for diabetes mellitus type II, neuropathy of the left and right feet, arthritis of the hands, and hypertension.,The Veteran's diagnosed conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues related to his son D.M. due to the Veteran's withdrawal of appeal.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to inadequate previous examinations. The issues of service connection for various conditions are being reviewed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment prior to December 3, 2008.