Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2022

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disability and remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension. The denial is based on lack of evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disability, peripheral neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities, fibromyalgia, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and hypertension. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding in-service exposure to Agent Orange and asbestos, as well as incomplete medical opinions on the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, heart disorder, and eye disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities as due to herbicide agent exposure in Korea.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as it began during service and has persisted since then.,Service connection for a neck disorder secondary to the right shoulder impingement syndrome is denied. Service connection for a right knee disorder secondary to left knee degenerative arthritis is also denied.

The Veteran's hypertension was not found to be related to service, as there were no documented blood pressure readings during service that would support a finding of the condition. The Veteran's current diagnosis is attributed to his post-service activities and lack of treatment for many years after separation.,For the right knee disability, the VA examiner concluded it was less likely than not caused by or aggravated by the service-connected right ankle disability. The Veteran did not report any knee issues during service and there were no documented complaints or diagnoses related to a right knee condition until 2014.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran experienced a stroke and its relationship to service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hypertension and heart condition, as well as to review existing records. The claims for service connection are associated with the Veteran's claim for hypertension.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with its prior remand directives and has therefore ordered the VA to make additional efforts to obtain the Veteran's missing separation examination. The issues of service connection for a pelvic disorder, hypertension, pes planus, and invertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine are all remanded due to the need for further development regarding range of motion estimates. The issue of TDIU prior to September 12, 2019 is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these other issues.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, gout, hypertension, congestive heart failure, and cartilage condition, status post total knee replacement due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has granted service connection for HTN, OSA, and DM as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected back disability. The issues of entitlement to service connection for ED, COPD, and GERD are remanded due to a lack of VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for toenail and fingernail disorders have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims during a Board hearing.,Service connection has been granted for bilateral hearing loss, with no effective date provided.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient reasoning in the previous opinions regarding whether hypertension is proximately due to service-connected PTSD or herbicide exposure. The examiner needs to provide specific evidence related to the Veteran's case and clarify if there is a nexus between hypertension and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for coronary artery disease and hypertension due to a lack of compliance with previous remand instructions. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for hypertension as it requires additional development and clarification of certain aspects.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension. The case is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's skin disorders, including xerosis and tinea versicolor.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, acid reflux, hypertension, and bilateral hip disorder. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical records and undergo VA examinations.

The Board has decided that an additional VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's hypertension, including any related to herbicide agent exposure during service, should be granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is granted service connection based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's hypertension is remanded for further examination and determination of its relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, hypertension (HTN), erectile dysfunction (ED), and a RLE skin condition due to insufficient evidence of current disability or proper service connection. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.