Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's hypertension is not currently service-connected, and the Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's sinusitis and hypertension have been rated, but the appeal for increased ratings is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims due to new evidence being added to the file and not previously considered by the RO. The Veteran's skin disability, PTSD, hypertension, and TDIU claims are all subject to further review.

The Veteran's appeal is granted for a rating of 50 percent for bilateral foot disorder from March 30, 2018 to October 31, 2018. The reduction in the rating for cardiomyopathy from 100% to 60% effective October 1, 2019 is restored. Service connection for residuals of a right distal tibia and fibula fracture is granted with an effective date of October 20, 2008.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, hypertension, and low testosterone as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The Veteran's exposure to various chemical or biological agents was not established.

The Board has determined that the remand is necessary to obtain adequate etiology opinions regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension was caused or aggravated by his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder and/or service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a heart condition and hypertension, finding that there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various disabilities such as respiratory/pulmonary disability, heart disability (coronary artery disease), hypertension, circulatory disability, skin condition (solar lentigo), sleep apnea, allergies, general arthralgia, right eye disability, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The issues have been remanded due to inadequate record and need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension as secondary to PTSD. The issue of a TDIU from July 25, 2017 was granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no direct evidence linking it to his military service or any other condition. The Board also found insufficient evidence to support a secondary service connection based on diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C, high blood pressure, esophageal varices, cirrhosis of the liver, and gall stones. The claims were based on a history of post-service risk factors rather than in-service incidents or injuries.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's hypertension did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating as his blood pressure readings were predominantly below the values required to meet the criteria for a 10 percent rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in calculating the overpayment of pension benefits and the validity of the debt. The Veteran needs to provide additional information about his medical expenses, particularly related to assisted living costs for housebound status.

A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to the aggregate effect of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is granted effective November 20, 2014. The Veteran's hypertension and pulmonary condition possibly related to asbestos exposure are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection as these issues have been fully granted in a June 2021 rating decision.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disorder due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service or any service-connected disability. The case is remanded for further development regarding hypertension and leg disorders.,Service connection for hypertension cannot be established as there is no medical opinion linking it to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded several claims, including service connection for left knee instability and flexion limitation prior to September 14, 2015, hypertension within one year of separation from service, and TDIU prior to September 1, 2014. The Veteran's claim is being referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus and denied a rating greater than 10 percent for hypertension. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not related to his military service, and his hypertension did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.