Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for depression and remanded the issues of service connection for erectile dysfunction, sleep apnea, and hypertension.

The Veteran's vascular headaches, migraine type have been granted a 30% disability evaluation effective from the date of the decision.,The Veteran's GERD has been granted a 10% disability evaluation effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hypertension and his rating appeal for right shoulder tendinopathy with degenerative joint disease were both denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of a diagnosis of hypertension during service, and also found no evidence of ankylosis or other disabling conditions in his right shoulder.

The Veteran's bilateral breast calcification, claimed as fibrocystic breast disability, is granted service connection. The issues of hypertension, urinary hesitancy, ovarian cyst disability, TMJ disorder, and other disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is related to his in-service exposure to herbicides, as he served in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, finding that they render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and remanded the issue of service connection for a lumbar spine disability. The hypertension claim is denied as there is no credible evidence that it was present in service or within one year after separation, nor does it have continuity of symptomatology since service. The lumbar spine disability claim is remanded due to an inadequate examination.

The Board has identified several issues for remand, including the need to review new VA outpatient treatment records and private medical records, obtain missing audiometric results and civilian employment records, conduct new examinations regarding bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension, and schedule a TDIU examination. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has denied service connection for peripheral vascular disease of the right and left upper extremities, as well as for hypertension and chronic kidney disease. The claims are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection is not granted for peripheral vascular disease of the right and left lower extremities, as there is no current diagnosis or evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the cases of hypertension, arthritis of the fingers (also claimed as gout), and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities for further development.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and various cold injury residuals are denied. The claim for chronic obstructive airway disease is also denied.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disorder and hypertension, finding no evidence of current disabilities or direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for dementia, lumbar spine disability, and hypertension due to inadequate medical opinions. The claims are not granted as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to new service personnel records showing multiple periods of active duty for training (ANACDUTRA). The claims will be reviewed with consideration of these additional periods.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's nose/sinus disability (claimed as allergies) and COPD are remanded for further examination.,The Veteran's hypertension is remanded for further examination.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for further examination.,The Veteran's perforated right eardrum, bilateral shin splints, left arm skin lesion, and cervical spine disability are all remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for left foot, right foot, and low back disabilities have been dismissed. The appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and hypertension has been remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension and glaucoma are not service-connected.,Right and left lower extremity varicose veins have been rated as 40 percent disabling, but the Veteran is seeking higher ratings. The Board finds that a rating in excess of 40 percent is not warranted at this time.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction may be related to Gulf War exposures, but further clarification is needed from an appropriate clinician.,Left and right knee strains have been rated as 10 percent disabling each, but the Veteran is seeking higher ratings. The Board finds that a rating in excess of 10 percent for both knees is not warranted at this time.,Lumbar spine degenerative joint disease has been rated as 20 percent disabling, but the Veteran is seeking a higher rating. The Board finds that a rating in excess of 20 percent is not warranted at this time.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, as due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The evidence supports a finding that the Veteran's hypertension is related to his in-service herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity and right upper extremity, both secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, was denied.