Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's death was caused by service in Thailand and/or Southwest Asia, including exposure to herbicide agents or other chemical/toxins.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of diabetes mellitus and hypertension for further development and adjudication due to a lack of compliance with previous remand orders.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart disease (coronary artery disease), hypertension, residuals of stroke associated with diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy right upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy left upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy left lower extremity, and right foot amputation of two toes have been granted due to new and material evidence. The Veteran is presumed to be exposed to herbicide agents while serving in Korea.,The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have also been granted due to new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension, as it may be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder. The case is returned for further development and an addendum opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's diabetes type I, including whether it is related to service. The issues of service connection for both diabetes type I and high blood pressure are being remanded.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which render him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service connection claim for intermittent explosive disorder with sleep impairment is granted. Claims for a separate sleep disorder, headaches, hypertension, and right ankle condition are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension have been granted. The case is remanded to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding the Veteran's exposure to contaminated groundwater, environmental and chemical toxins, asbestos, and lead.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors and insufficient medical opinions. The issues of service connection for a back disability, migraines, and hypertension must be addressed again with new evidence or clarification.

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

The Veteran's prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension were denied as not service-connected.,Service connection was denied for all three conditions due to a lack of evidence linking them to the Veteran's military service.

The appeal of high cholesterol is dismissed. The appeals for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent rating, and his headaches and hypertension are restored to their previous ratings. The appeal for service connection of the right and left lower extremity Restless Leg Syndrome remains pending.

The AOJ denied a separate 60 percent rating for hypertension from August 31, 2001 as the effective date of the original rating decision was corrected to reflect that both conditions were rated together until January 1998 when they became separately assessable.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been denied.,Claims for effective dates earlier than June 27, 2017 for service connection for radiculopathy, left lower extremity, femoral nerve; radiculopathy, right lower extremity femoral nerve; radiculopathy, left lower extremity sciatic nerve; radiculopathy, right lower extremity sciatic nerve; tinnitus; and, hearing loss have been denied.,Service connection for hypertension as due to herbicide exposure has been granted.,The previously denied claim for service connection for a cardiovascular disorder (claimed as ischemic heart disease) has been reopened. Service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) as due to herbicide exposure has also been granted.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities has been granted, subject to the laws and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits.,The claims for service connection for a right knee disability, left knee disability, sleep disability, prostate disability, diverticulitis, erectile dysfunction, cervical spine disability, hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, PTSD, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (LLE), femoral nerve, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (RLE), femoral nerve, radiculopathy of the LLE sciatic nerve, and radiculopathy of the RLE sciatic nerve have been remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment since July 29, 2012. TDIU is granted effective that date.

The Veteran's claimed disabilities are not service-connected as they were not shown during or within one year after his military service, and there is no credible evidence of herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and a left leg disability due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's epididymectomy residuals are rated at a 10 percent rating, effective April 1, 2014. The Veteran's hypertension is rated at a 10 percent rating.

The Board has dismissed all claims for service connection due to the Veteran's death.