Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's whole-body joint pain was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period; continuity of symptomatology is not established; and the disability is not secondary to service-connected bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, or otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's bilateral cataracts are not secondary to service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, and are not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine are not secondary to service-connected type II diabetes mellitus or bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy; was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period; continuity of symptomatology is not established; and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's hypertension is not secondary to service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or type II diabetes mellitus, and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease, to include exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship to service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and kidney stones. The Veteran's chronic sinusitis is rated at 50% from October 1, 2021.,Service connection for tinnitus was established as it was related to hazardous noise exposure during active military service.

The Veteran's hypertension and atrial fibrillation are granted as service-connected due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam, with the cardiovascular disability secondary to his service-connected hypertension.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability claim can be adjudicated. The case is REMANDED for a VA examination to determine if his current diagnoses of GERD, diverticulosis, and pancreatitis are related to service.

The Board has remanded the issue of a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss from January 31, 2012, to June 14, 2018. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment effective February 14, 2007.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated as noncompensable prior to June 17, 2019, and as 10 percent disabling thereafter. He seeks higher ratings for his hypertension.,Prior to June 17, 2019, the Veteran's headaches were rated as noncompensable; from June 17, 2019, to February 22, 2021, he was granted a 30 percent rating; and from February 22, 2021 onwards, he is now granted a maximum 50 percent rating for headaches.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence and additional development is required.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and remanded the issue of service connection for hypothyroidism due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and further development is required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and hypertension due to potential issues with causation and aggravation. Additional medical opinions are needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer is denied as there is no evidence of a disease or injury in service, and the current disability is not related to service.,Service connection for PTSD is denied because the claimed stressor has not been corroborated by credible supporting evidence.

The Board denied service connection for cause of death due to insufficient evidence linking the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and alcoholism, to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart attack, respiratory condition, hypertension, and eczema have been reopened. However, the Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to address these issues.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for his current conditions, including a heart attack, respiratory condition, hypertension, and eczema. The claims are currently pending as they were not fully addressed in previous VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension due to a lack of recent VA audiological examinations and an inaccurate history of symptom onset.

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for a low back disability, left-hand finger disability, and hypertension. The AOJ is to provide medical opinions on each issue.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, right hip arthritis, left hip arthritis, stroke, and hypertension as a result of the Veteran's prostatectomy in March 2008 due to lack of causation.

The Veteran's bilateral eye disorder, including compound myopia astigmatism and presbyopia, is not service-connected as it is considered a congenital or developmental defect.,Bilateral hearing loss was not shown to be related to service. The Veteran did not have hearing loss within one year of separation from service nor does the evidence support a finding that his current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to service.,Tinnitus was not shown to be related to service. The Veteran did not have tinnitus within one year of separation from service nor does the evidence support a finding that his current tinnitus disability is related to service.,The acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, is not shown to be related to service. The Veteran did not have an acquired psychiatric disorder within one year of separation from service nor does the evidence support a finding that his current acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service.,Hypertension was not shown to be related to service. The Veteran did not have hypertension within one year of separation from service nor does the evidence support a finding that his current hypertension disability is related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including heart disability, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, obstructive sleep apnea, benign prostatic hyperplasia, asthma, and dementia, all claimed as due to Agent Orange exposure. The remand also includes a request for verification of in-service herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a left lower extremity disability, finding that there is no evidence of in-service injury or event to qualify for service-connection.