Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the issue of whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to service, including presumed exposure to herbicides. The examiner will need to provide a rationale for their opinion and consider both medical and lay evidence.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of hypertension, as it may be related to exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran's hypertension is not currently among the diseases presumed due to Agent Orange exposure under VA regulations.

The Veteran's TDIU claim prior to October 28, 2019 was denied as his combined service-connected disability rating did not meet the schedular percentage thresholds for a TDIU and there is no evidence showing he was unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, allergic rhinitis, and bilateral hearing loss have been granted. The claim for service connection for hypertension has been denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient development and lack of adequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's conditions. The claims will be reviewed again after obtaining additional information and opinions from VA examiners.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, a heart disorder, a kidney disorder, and a right eye disorder due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an increased rating for left shoulder impingement syndrome status post rotator cuff tear with AC joint osteoarthritis are remanded due to incomplete development of the record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, to include neuropathy and other complications is granted. The cause of death due to the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is also granted. SMC based on need for aid and attendance is granted. Claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings are remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for low back disability, bilateral sensitive feet, sleep apnea, hypertension, right knee disability, and left knee disability. These issues are now remanded for additional development.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hypertension and hand injuries are related to his service-connected PTSD, but more development is needed.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions have been reopened, and the Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen his previously denied claims. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) and remanded it to obtain a new VA opinion on its etiology.

The Veteran's hypertension, heart murmur, and heart disease were not found to be related to service. The heart conditions are attributed to the natural progression of a pre-existing condition.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension due to the need for additional opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and in-service exposure to particulate matter, burn pits, jet fuels, hydraulic fluids, oils, solvents, cleaners, insecticides, and exhaust fumes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to incomplete medical records and inadequate opinions. The AOJ must obtain any outstanding VA treatment records, provide adequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the claimed disabilities, and consider a possible secondary relationship between PTSD and hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, a right leg disorder (snake bite), low back disorder, gout, left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, major depressive disorder, and migraine headaches. The reasons given were that there was no evidence of these conditions in service or within one year of discharge, and the Veteran's assertions regarding secondary service connection were not supported by medical evidence.

The Veteran's osteopenia has not been linked to his service-connected diabetes mellitus or herbicide agent exposure, and the Board denied this claim.,The Veteran's psoriasis is remanded for further examination to determine if it is related to herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's cause of death was attributed to hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, which is presumed service-connected due to herbicide exposure during his time in Thailand. The Board found that the Veteran had been exposed to herbicides while stationed at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base.

The Veteran withdrew all issues in this appeal before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and rating increases has been remanded due to procedural errors in the docketing process under the Legacy system. The AOJ is required to issue a SOC on these matters.