Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of his hypertension. The Board also notes that the Veteran's GERD and hypertension are not service-connected.

The Veteran's skin disability, eye disability, heart disability, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy are being remanded for further development regarding his exposure to herbicide agents in Korea.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the remand directives and thus, another remand is necessary for compliance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of an eye condition claimed as a retained foreign body in the left eye, and his vitamin D deficiency is not a disability for VA compensation purposes. The claims for service connection for hypertension, chronic kidney failure, and sleep problems are remanded due to lack of medical evidence addressing their etiology.

The Board has ordered additional development for the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, bilateral knee disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and cervical spine disorder due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete records. The AOJ is tasked with compiling a complete list of verified periods of service and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for a VA clinician to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not related to service, including exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability, respiratory condition, hypertension, and prostate disability due to lack of VA medical records and potential private treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the previously denied claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, ulcerative colitis/proctitis, hypertension, bronchitis or sinus disorder, and vertigo due to potential issues with evidence submission and examination scheduling.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals concerning PTSD, sleep apnea, and hypertension. As a result, the cases are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, right foot disability, bowel disorder, lipomas, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and hemorrhoids due to inadequate medical opinions regarding in-service herbicide exposure. Additional development is required.

The Veteran's cause of death was determined to be sudden cardiac arrest, which the Board found was caused by hypertension. As hypertension is service-connected, the claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is dismissed.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, including his acquired psychiatric disorder and other conditions. SMC at the housebound rate is also granted from March 18, 2021.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the previous remand directives regarding the issues on appeal. The case is being returned to the RO for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims, including updated VA treatment records, a VA psychiatric examination for PTSD, an eye examination for right eye blindness, a VA hypertension examination, and another knee examination. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and stroke with right side weakness due to a lack of adequate rationale in the VA medical opinions provided. The issues are being remanded again as the instructions from the March 2022 Board were not complied with.

The Board denied service connection for Parkinson's disease and hypertension, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome (including anal fissures), and hypertension is granted.,The Veteran's current disabilities of the digestive system, including irritable bowel syndrome with hemorrhoids and anal fissures, are found to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and hypertension. The claims for service connection are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for PTSD, hypertension, and genitourinary disability due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding the severity of PTSD, etiology of hypertension and genitourinary disabilities, and whether these conditions are related to service or service-connected disabilities.