Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at a 10 percent disability rating, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board has remanded the cases of hypertension and hemorrhoids for further development due to inadequate VA opinions. The Veteran's service records show multiple elevated blood pressure readings, and he reported being diagnosed with hypertension shortly after separation from active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's conditions, exposure history, and potential causes.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied service connection claims for prostate cancer and urinary incontinence as due to herbicide exposure was denied. The claim of service connection for hypertension is also denied.,Entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, which had been previously denied, was dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was increased to 70 percent, and his claims for service connection for hypertension, OSA, COPD, right ear hearing loss, a skin condition (including skin cancer and actinic keratosis), and GERD were granted.

The Board has dismissed all appeals as the Veteran died during the pendency of these claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other factors linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of hypertension because no new and material evidence was submitted, despite the Veteran providing testimony that he developed hypertension after service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and nephrosclerosis as there is no probative evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is secondary to her service-connected PTSD and/or migraine headaches.

The Veteran's hypertension and right knee disability have been remanded for further examination and rating considerations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a low back disability, and a right knee disability. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability has been reopened, but the Board finds that new and material evidence does not establish an in-service injury or disease. The current knee condition is also not related to service.,Service connection for a bilateral knee disability cannot be established as there is no credible evidence of an in-service injury or event leading to current symptoms.,The Veteran's claim for high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, and heart disease are remanded due to the need to determine if he served within 12 nautical miles from Vietnam shores during his service aboard USS Okinawa. The claims for sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder (likely depression) also require additional development.,Service connection for a respiratory disorder is remanded as the Veteran needs to confirm his report of exposure to burning feces in service.,The Veteran's bilateral foot disability claim requires further examination to determine if it is related to service.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted an initial 10 percent rating.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis, neutropenia, and erectile dysfunction are all denied initial compensable ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C, a liver disorder secondary to hepatitis C, hypertension secondary to PTSD with depression and polysubstance abuse, obstructive sleep apnea secondary to PTSD with depression and polysubstance abuse, and denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the issues of service connection for a breathing disorder, including as due to service in Southwest Asia, and hypertension, including as secondary to PTSD and service in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to their death.

The Veteran's right foot disability is being remanded for further development.,Service connection has been granted for hypertension, a right hip disability, and obstructive sleep apnea.,An issue regarding the Veteran's right foot disability remains unresolved and will be returned to the RO for additional review.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran's heart disability, hypertension, diabetes, varicose veins of the bilateral lower extremities, and deep venous thrombosis are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hypertension. The matter of entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is also being referred to VA's Director of Compensation Service.