Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed for the GERD, high blood pressure, and respiratory disorder claims due to new VA medical records submitted after the transfer of the appeal to the Board. The Veteran's GERD claim will be remanded for an addendum opinion on whether it is aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus type II or obstructive sleep apnea. The high blood pressure claim will be remanded for an addendum opinion regarding its relationship to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II and obesity, as well as whether it is proximately due to or aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus type II or obstructive sleep apnea. The respiratory disorder claim will be remanded for clarification of the presence of a COPD diagnosis during active service.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, hiatal hernia, and HTN. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for direct service connection as there was no in-service diagnosis or treatment of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the issue of entitlement to a TDIU is moot as the Veteran's combined disability rating does not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives regarding service connection for hypertension. The Veteran is entitled to a new examination and opinion on whether his hypertension is related to herbicide exposure or diabetes.

Service connection is granted for ischemic heart disease, coronary artery disease, and type II diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's hypertension is remanded for further assessment.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back condition and hypertension. The claims are now remanded for further development, including an examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's low back condition.

The Veteran's hypertension and cataracts have been granted service connection. The respiratory disorder, sleep apnea, disability manifested by poor circulation, Bell's Palsy, and bilateral plantar fasciitis have all been denied.

The Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, low back disorder, and hypertension have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board will seek additional information regarding potential exposure to herbicides and other toxic chemicals during service.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction, as opinions are required regarding whether these conditions are related to his sleep apnea, major depressive disorder, prostatitis, or hypertension.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for hypertension, right knee condition, and left knee condition.

The Veteran's hypertension was not found to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The skin condition of the feet and erectile dysfunction were remanded for further review.

The Veteran's appeals for TDIU, increased ratings for back disability, hypertension, and radiculopathy have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant during the pendency of his appeal.

The Board has determined that the remand is necessary due to inadequate medical opinions and because there has not been substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for migraine headaches, hypertension, and sleep apnea due to new and material evidence. The claims are now remanded for further development.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for his migraine headaches, hypertension, and sleep disorder, including sleep apnea.

The Board denied the eligibility for burial in a VA national cemetery due to the decedent not meeting the minimum active service requirements and because his death was attributed to natural causes unrelated to military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis, and hypertension due to a lack of development. The issues are also being remanded for readjudication of nonservice-connected pension as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection issues.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding PTSD, the increased rating for PTSD from May 31, 2018 to October 17, 2019, and service connection claims for cardiomyopathy, hypertension, and multiple melanomas.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for hypertension due to insufficient reasoning in a previous VA opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected chronic adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood.

The Board has granted service connection for Hypertension (HTN) and remanded the issue of secondary service connection for Erectile Dysfunction (ED) due to HTN.