Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate development and examination. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, hypertension, sleep apnea, and headaches are all being reviewed.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disorder secondary to his right knee disability was denied. The issues of increased ratings for lumbar spine and radiculopathy, as well as the issue of service connection for hypertension were remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for back disability, neck disability, and hypertension prior to February 25, 2022 are denied.,There is no longer an issue of fact or law before the Board pertaining to whether the Veteran is entitled to a rating in excess of 40 percent for back disability from February 25, 2022. The claims are dismissed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension. The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion on whether the Veteran's hypertension first manifested in service, if it is due to herbicide exposure, and if his diabetes mellitus has aggravated his hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss is currently rated as zero percent (non-compensable) due to audiometric testing results which, when combined with the non-service-connected right ear, merit a Roman numeral of I.,The Veteran's service-connected hypertension is currently rated as ten percent (10%) due to diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more requiring continuous medication for control.

Service connection for high cholesterol is dismissed.,Entitlement to an effective date earlier than April 17, 2017, for service connection for status post left shoulder joint replacement (non-dominant), including degenerative arthritis, is denied.,Entitlement to an effective date earlier than April 17, 2017, for service connection for a left shoulder surgical scar is denied.,Entitlement to an effective date earlier than April 17, 2017, for service connection for hypertension is denied.,New and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a knee disability. The petition to reopen is denied.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during active service is presumed and that there is a positive association between hypertension and such exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension. The Veteran's reported in-service stressor event needs to be verified, and a VA examination is required to determine the current severity of his hypertension.

The Board has withdrawn the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder. The case is remanded for further examination regarding hypertension.

The Veteran's service connection claims for high blood pressure, erectile dysfunction, vision impairment, and balding condition are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is aggravated by his service-connected major depressive disorder with anxiety.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings on several service-connected conditions has been remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's hypertension, which has a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more and requires continuous medication for control, is granted a 10 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to new evidence submitted after a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, chronic acid reflux (GERD), gout, hypertension, and right wrist disability due to potential issues with service connection based on National Guard duty.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and pulmonary disorder due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's representative requested a video hearing, but withdrew it in writing.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, hypertension, heart disabilities, asthma, and bilateral eye disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions began during or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to service or his service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided do not adequately address whether the Veteran's Bell's Palsy, heart disease, and hypertension are aggravated by his service-connected valvular heart disease. The case is being remanded to obtain a proper opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him from April 1, 2015, through March 25, 2019. The Board granted TDIU during this period.