Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, gout, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, a skin condition (including seborrheic keratosis), hypertension, and erectile dysfunction.,There was no presumption of herbicide agent exposure due to the Veteran's service in Korea.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD was denied, and his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities was also denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral pes planus, low back disability, hypertension secondary to PTSD, GERD secondary to PTSD and duodenal ulcer, and obstructive sleep apnea secondary to PTSD and duodenal ulcer due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and consideration, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's right and left shoulder disabilities and a VA examination to address his sleep apnea and sleep disturbances.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for service-connected hypertension is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the January 2018 VA examination.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension due to inadequate examination reports and conflicting opinions. The Veteran's hypertension is not presumed to be related to herbicide exposure, but may have existed prior to service or been aggravated by diabetes.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, a low back disability, a left knee disability (secondary to a low back disability), obstructive sleep apnea, genital herpes, and hypertriglyceridemia.,There is no evidence of in-service onset or continuity of symptoms since service for any of the conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension and dementia are being remanded for additional medical opinions to determine if they are related to Agent Orange exposure or other service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for heart disorder, hypertension, a disability claimed as rheumatoid arthritis and/or tendonitis, prostate cancer, and an eye disorder (claimed as wearing glasses). The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's back disorder and acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted for the period prior to November 19, 2018 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and maintaining gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension, stomach ulcers, and erectile dysfunction to allow for further development.,Specifically, the Veteran's claims that these conditions are secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, TBI, acquired psychiatric disorder, headaches, and respiratory disorder were denied as they are not service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for migraine headaches prior to July 12, 2017 was denied. The claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for migraine headaches since July 12, 2017 was also denied. The Veteran is granted TDIU effective March 10, 2015.

The Veteran's depression is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.,Service connection for COPD, CAD, and hypertension are granted due to their aggravation by the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.,The cause of death (septic shock due to Klebsiella pneumoniae infection) is attributed to the underlying disease (coronary atherosclerosis), which is service-connected.,Initial ratings for cervical spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection have not been fully addressed due to a lack of compliance with prior remand instructions. The Veteran's death prevented further action on these claims until his surviving spouse was accepted as a substitute, at which point the case was returned to the Board.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) or eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA).

Service connection is granted for GERD, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, tinnitus, PTSD and major depressive disorder.,Service connection is denied for hyperlipidemia.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service and granted service connection for it. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, back disability, left ankle disability, asthma, and hypertension are remanded due to insufficient evidence.