Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2022

The Board has decided to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection of hypertension, but remanded it due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the onset and relationship of hypertension to service.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on current medical evidence.

The Veteran's adult daughter is seeking accrued benefits for service connection claims of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and macular degeneration. The Board has determined that these issues have not been formally adjudicated by the Agency of Original Jurisdiction.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 25, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a TBI was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hand burns has been reopened due to new and material evidence.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, a back disability, a left ankle disability, and hypertension due to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and dizziness, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service. The claims were previously denied but new evidence was submitted which supports reopening of these claims.

The Veteran's hypertension and bilateral hearing loss have been denied initial compensable ratings.,Diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity has been granted a noncompensable rating since November 1, 2012. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left femoral nerve was granted a separate 10% rating since July 7, 2021.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to verify exposure to asbestos and environmental hazards during service, as well as a VA examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within the presumptive period after service. The Board also found that the Veteran did not establish continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has dismissed appeals regarding earlier effective dates for service connection of erectile dysfunction and SMC based on loss of use. Service connection for PTSD is granted, with an initial 40 percent rating for diabetes mellitus type II. Other issues are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of current right ear hearing loss.,Service connection has been granted for tinnitus, with the opinion that it is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and a total rating based on individual unemployability was dismissed due to his death. The Board must dismiss the appeal without prejudice as it is not possible to continue the appeal after the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, and insomnia disorder), but denied service connection for hypertension, eczema, and a low back disability. The decision is based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's ratings for bilateral eye retinopathy and cataracts, nephropathy with hypertension, thoracic fracture with degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, right lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve, and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve were all denied. The Veteran's ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II, with erectile dysfunction and bilateral peripheral vascular disease, keloid chest scar (shrapnel wound), PTSD, and TDIU based on PTSD alone were granted. Special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate was also granted.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, cardiovascular conditions, and left ear hearing loss have been granted. The remaining issues of service connection for headaches, back condition, prostate condition, bladder condition, kidney condition, hepatitis, and nicotine dependence are dismissed as the appeal is not about service connection at all.,The Veteran's claim for a back condition has been remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is linked to his in-service exposure to Agent Orange. The case will be sent back for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability was reopened and granted. The claims for toxic optic neuropathy, right hip osteonecrosis, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, muscle spasms of the neck, back, arms, fingers, legs and toes, seizure disorder, migraine headaches, right thigh disability, bone disorder, brain tumor, neurological disabilities of the upper extremities, and service connection for a left knee disability are all granted.,The Veteran's toxic optic neuropathy is secondary to his service-connected pain disorder and depression with history of self-medicating with alcohol. His right hip osteonecrosis is also secondary to his service-connected pain disorder and depression with history of self-medicating with alcohol. The bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, muscle spasms of the neck, back, arms, fingers, legs and toes, seizure disorder, migraine headaches, right thigh disability, bone disorder, brain tumor, neurological disabilities of the upper extremities are all secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's claims for GERD, hypertension, a back disability, and bilateral foot disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.