Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension, keratosis (claimed as skin condition), a skin disability, and a neck disability due to exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, left shoulder DJD, right shoulder DJD, lumbar spine DJD, and right knee DJD. The decision is based on a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,Service connection was not granted as the Board found no medical evidence that any of the Veteran's claimed disabilities were incurred or aggravated by his active duty.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to determine the relationship between the Veteran's current disabilities and his military service. The claims for service connection will be remanded.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, which were previously pending before the Board.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's service-connected hypertension, finding that his blood pressure readings did not consistently meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7101.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension due to inadequate opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and his service-connected disabilities, as well as a failure to consider additional lay evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the VA examination and opinion provided were inadequate to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, as well as secondary service connection due to obstructive sleep apnea. The claim is being remanded to obtain a proper evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to March 25, 2019 for TDIU was denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that her service-connected disabilities prevented her from obtaining and maintaining employment prior to March 25, 2019.,The Veteran's appeal for past-due benefits by the grants of basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) and TDIU effective March 25, 2019 was remanded. The Board noted that there was a discrepancy in the amount of past-due benefits awarded and ordered a complete audit/accounting.

The Board has denied service connection for erectile dysfunction and hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's major depressive disorder. The Veteran was granted a temporary total disability evaluation based on hospitalization due to substance use disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of consideration of the combat presumption and the need for a VA examination regarding herbicide exposure.

The appeals for service connection of a left eye disorder, respiratory disorder (chest nodules), and left leg disorder have been dismissed. The appeals for stomach disability, lumbar spine disability, acquired psychiatric disorder, and hypertension are being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, respiratory disabilities (COPD and Pulmonary Fibrosis), hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and hiatal hernia. The decision is based on the Veteran's competent lay reports of symptom onset during active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,The Veteran's hypertension is being reviewed as secondary to his major depressive disorder. The Board also needs an opinion regarding whether it is related to any medications prescribed for his service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's GERD and Barrett's esophagus are being reviewed as secondary to his major depressive disorder, but the need for a medical opinion on the relationship between these conditions and any medications prescribed for his service-connected disabilities remains unclear.,The Veteran's cold injury residuals of the right hand and left hand are still under review with a focus on whether they should be rated higher than 30 percent.,The Veteran's cold injury residuals of the right hand and left hand are still under review with a focus on whether they should be rated higher than 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, coronary artery disease (CAD), hypertension, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to incomplete VA treatment records and a lack of VA examination in connection with these claims.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension and denied his claim for a higher rating for right intercostal neuralgia of the musculocutaneous nerve.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the diagnosis of hypertension during service.

The Board has determined that the AOJ did not substantially comply with the May 2021 remand directives and thus, a remand is necessary to obtain adequate opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed bilateral knee conditions.,Additionally, the AOJ must follow its established procedures for requesting an advisory opinion furnished by a medical school, university, or clinic on remand.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease and hypertension are granted as secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder. The left foot condition, bilateral hallux valgus, and left ankle condition are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient consideration of medical literature and potential exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's hypertension is being reviewed for possible service connection as secondary to his diabetes, and also potentially related to exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The Board remands the cases for bilateral hearing loss, coronary artery disease (due to herbicide exposure), and hypertension.