Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA medical opinion and lack of all pertinent treatment records prior to the Veteran's death. The Appellant is requested to provide any outstanding non-VA treatment records and submit any identified medical literature.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, alone, were not of sufficient severity to render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to February 21, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of hypertension during service and its relationship to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is not rated higher than noncompensable (0 percent).,Service connection for CTS of the left upper extremity and right upper extremity, restless leg syndrome of the left lower extremity, and restless leg syndrome of the right lower extremity are all denied.,Service connection for hypertension is denied.,The Veteran's psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is not service connected.

The Veteran's initial rating for Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood has been granted at a 70 percent level, effective July 2011. Service connection for hypertension and bilateral knee disability have been remanded due to insufficient evidence, while service connection for acid reflux remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension were denied. The Board found that the residuals of prostate cancer did not warrant a higher rating than 40 percent, DM was rated at 20 percent as it required no insulin or regulation of activities, and HTN was not shown to be related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate reasons and bases in the August 2019 decision, requiring a new VA examination.

Service connection for hypertension is granted as it is caused by the Veteran's service-connected unspecified sleep-wake disorder.,Service connection for headaches is granted as they are caused by the Veteran's service-connected unspecified sleep-wake disorder.

The Board has remanded the cases of hypertension and diabetes mellitus for further development, including obtaining VA examinations to determine their etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, total hip replacement, left thigh pain, and left leg weakness are not service-connected as they were not incurred or aggravated during his National Guard service. The hypertension was also not shown to be related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for Adult Polycystic Kidney Disease and Hypertension, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions had their onset during active service.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and hypertension, finding that the conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus, and other issues are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased disability ratings were dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew his appeals of these issues prior to a decision being made.

The Board previously denied service connection for hypertension based on herbicide exposure, but the Court remanded it to consider direct service connection. The case is now being remanded to obtain a new VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to his presumed in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including heart disability, hypertension, nerve condition, bilateral shoulder and ankle disabilities, bilateral toe arthritis, and cervical spine disability. The claims are pending further development.

The Board has remanded all eight service connection claims due to the need for additional information regarding the qualifications of the VA medical professional who conducted a November 2017 Gulf War examination.

The Veteran's hypertension requires continuous medication for control but has not been manifested by diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, or a history thereof, or systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more. Therefore, his claim for an increased rating is denied.,The Board finds that the evidence does not support service connection for low back disorder as secondary to left ankle disability or diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for hypertension, as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II and medications prescribed. A new medical opinion is needed to determine if the current hypertension was caused or permanently worsened by these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and evaluations were dismissed due to his death.