Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for service connection of ischemic heart disease was granted with an effective date of February 27, 2008. The condition was found to be related to exposure to Agent Orange during his Vietnam service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss due to potential secondary causes. The case is now before the Board again.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include anxiety and depression, was dismissed. The claim of entitlement to a higher initial rating for prostate cancer is denied. The claim of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction is denied. The claim of entitlement to an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted. The claim of entitlement to an earlier effective date for SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ is granted. Service connection for hypertension was remanded.

The Board has found that additional development is required before the Veteran's claim for entitlement to service connection for a heart condition, including hypertension, can be adjudicated.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and renal disease due to exposure to environmental hazards during his Southwest Asia service, including heavy oil smoke from fires and depleted uranium. The AOJ is instructed to verify these exposures and obtain a medical opinion on whether they are etiologically related to the Veteran's conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and occupational background.

The Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder is found to be the cause of his obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension.,For bilateral hearing loss, a noncompensable rating prior to October 21, 2020, and a compensable (30%) rating thereafter have been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, hypertension, blood clots, and vasculitis have been denied as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure or in-service injury. The Board found that the Veteran did not serve within Vietnam and thus could not establish exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has determined that remand is necessary to obtain a medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his service, including exposure to herbicide agents. The CAVC found the May 2019 VA medical opinion inadequate as it did not consider direct service connection based on herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the issues of initial compensable rating for hypertension and increased ratings for bilateral foot disability due to new evidence or development needs.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed for the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, which was previously remanded. The Veteran contends that his obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected hypertension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed conditions and their relationship to his military service. The VA is directed to attempt verification of non-combat stressors, schedule a psychiatric examination, and obtain medical opinions on hypertension, tension headaches, low back disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and left foot disability.

The Veteran's skin condition of the feet, diagnosed as dermatophytosis pedis, was granted service connection. Service connection for hypertension was denied. The right varicocele and erectile dysfunction were both denied increased ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no nexus between his current diagnosis and service. The Board also found that hypertension did not manifest during or within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines has been reopened, but the underlying merits of this claim have not yet been decided.,Service connection for hypertension and DJD of the right hip is denied as there is no evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The Board has found the November 2020 VA examination opinion inadequate for adjudication purposes and remanded for an addendum opinion applying the correct standard of evaluation for secondary service connection via aggravation. The remaining claims are also remanded as they may be impacted by the hypertension claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is at least as likely as not related to his service in Vietnam, including exposure to herbicides. Therefore, service connection for hypertension is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea, right ankle disorder, IBS, and hypertension have been granted. The claim for cervical radiculitis was denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cause of death, specifically related to hypertension and heart murmur.