Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for diabetic retinopathy of the left eye and remanded other issues including service connection for bilateral eye disorders, other than a pterygium, and an earlier effective date for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Veteran's hypertension, which has been treated with medication since service and had diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more during the appeal period, is granted a 10% rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, right ankle disability, neck disability, and GERD are not service-connected. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, which considers his conceded exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disability, including sleep apnea and related to PTSD, was denied.,Service connection was granted for the skin disability of tinea versicolor. The condition was presumed to have been aggravated by service.,The Veteran's hypertension was not found to be related to service or exposure to herbicide agents.,Bilateral hearing loss was not established as a service-connected disability.,No service connection was granted for bilateral shoulder disability, back disability, or neck disability.,Service connection was denied for the Veteran's back and neck disabilities.,The decision also referred the issue of service connection for cardiovascular disease secondary to PTSD to the Regional Office (RO) for further adjudication.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for hypertension with atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, including consideration of separate compensable ratings. Further VA cardiovascular evaluation is needed and all relevant VA and private treatment records should be obtained.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records from the 1970s through 2015 and providing an addendum opinion on the etiology of hypertension.

The Board has decided to remand several issues for further development, including service connection claims and a rating increase claim. The Veteran's right knee disability, hypertension, IBS, ED, OSA, and vision loss disability are all being reviewed due to the need for additional medical opinions or examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for OSA, as it is unclear whether this condition is proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of November 13, 2002 for the grant of TDIU and DEA under Chapter 35 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right hip pain, restless leg syndrome, intrascapular pain, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea associated with post-traumatic stress disorder with depressive disorder and insomnia disorder due to additional evidence received after the April 2014 SOC.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for hypertension is remanded.

The claim for service connection for right knee postoperative torn meniscus with osteoarthritis is reopened, and the case is remanded for further development. The Veteran's back disability, left ear hearing loss, and hypertension are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for high blood pressure has been dismissed.,Service connection for PTSD is granted, and the initial rating for right ankle degenerative joint disease remains at 10 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a new theory of service connection raised by the appellant's representative, which requires an additional medical opinion.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues are being remanded.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, but the claim for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to service or caused by his service-connected asbestosis with interstitial lung disease.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, but dismissed the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder as it was not related to service. The bilateral hearing loss disability appeal is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for blood clots and increased ratings for left ankle disability, degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, left shoulder disability, and hypertension. The Veteran's conditions were not found to meet the criteria for ankylosis in any of these cases.