Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and could not be presumed to have been caused by herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension have been granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected WPW. The conditions are rated at the maximum (100%) disability level.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for neck disability, right eye vision loss, lung cancer, emphysema, and hypertension due to insufficient evidence or conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension (also claimed as a heart disability) and chloracne has been granted. Hypertension is related to his military service, while chloracne is presumed due to exposure to herbicides in Korea.

The Board has vacated its March 25, 2021 decision denying service connection for hypertension as secondary to obstructive sleep apnea due to a pending hearing request.

The Veteran's hypertension was found to not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his diastolic pressure did not consistently reach 110 or more, and his systolic pressure did not consistently reach 200 or more. The Board denied the claim of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for various conditions due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for ED as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II. The Veteran appealed this decision and the Court vacated it.,The Board also denied service connection for hypertension on a direct or secondary basis (to herbicide exposure or CAD).,Service connection was denied for macular degeneration as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II.,Service connection was denied for kidney disease as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II.,Service connection was denied for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II.,Service connection was denied for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II.,Service connection was denied for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II.,Service connection was denied for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to service or caused by his service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including sleep apnea, ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and TDIU. The remand is due to incomplete compliance with prior directives and the need for further VA medical opinions.

The appeal of the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his back disability is dismissed. The petition to reopen service connection for hypertension has been granted, and the issues of service connection for various conditions are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea, but has remanded these issues due to a lack of VA examinations.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2 is granted with a rating of 50%. His migraine headache disability is granted with a rating of 50%, and his hypertension is granted but denied for an increased rating.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claims for service connection for hypertension and heart disease can be adjudicated. The claims are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding causation.

The Board has remanded several issues including the initial rating for headache syndrome, degenerative arthritis of the right and left knees, hypertension, and a TDIU prior to April 13, 2018. Additional evidence is needed in some cases.

The Veteran is granted a higher rating for SMC under section 1114(o) and awarded two separate ratings of SMC based on loss of use of both feet due to service-connected peripheral neuropathy and need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the Veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease claims, including obtaining a medical opinion on the etiology of his hypertension. The effective date claim is dismissed.

The Board has found that the VA did not obtain all requested records and remands the case for further development.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are granted as service-connected, while hypertension remains denied due to lack of new material evidence. The Veteran is also awarded a 20% rating for his lumbar spine disability.