Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's hypertension was granted an initial 10 percent rating prior to November 14, 2019. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for hypertension due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam, as it is unclear whether the National Academies of Science Update 2014 was considered and if a VA examination is needed.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, finding that his current disability is proximately due to his service-connected hypertension.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for hypertension, and further examinations are needed to determine if his current shoulder, knee, ankle, or foot conditions were incurred in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and aortic aneurysm, finding that there was no in-service event or link to service. The claim for increased rating of bilateral hearing loss prior to September 23, 2020, was also denied.,For erectile dysfunction, the Board found that the Veteran's disability had been manifested by loss of erectile power without deformity of the penis since September 23, 2020, and thus did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral shoulder condition, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension. The conditions are found to be due to or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service and did not manifest within a year of separation. The claim was also denied for diabetes mellitus as there was no evidence of its onset during or shortly after service.,Service connection could not be established due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange) in Vietnam, as the Veteran's ship did not enter inland waters and he had no documented visitation. The claim for diabetes mellitus secondary to Agent Orange exposure was also denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for PTSD, hypertension, and an irregular heartbeat due to new and material evidence. The claims are REMANDED for further development including verifying the in-service stressor and obtaining medical opinions regarding the relationship between her conditions and service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that OSA was incurred in or aggravated by military service, nor is there sufficient evidence to establish secondary service connection through his service-connected hypertension and renal insufficiency.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that it was not incurred in or related to service and did not have a direct link to any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service connection for hypertension as aggravated by PTSD is granted, but her skin disability of the face is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his hypertension, diabetic nephropathy, and TDIU claims.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal for all issues.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection claims due to his withdrawal of these issues prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, left eye cataract, heart disorder, peripheral vascular disease (including decreased circulation and left leg splint and shunt in left groin), right hand disability (including carpal tunnel syndrome and neuropathy), and left hand disability (including neuropathy) due to the need for additional opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The presumptive exposure basis is based on service in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations, which applies to Persian Gulf veterans.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, lumbar spine disorder, and essential tremor of the right and left hands. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during or are otherwise related to active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cardiac disorder, hypertension, and low back disability. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection or secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete verification of the Veteran's periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA. The Veteran is also required to undergo new VA examinations for his acquired psychiatric disorders, hypertension, left knee arthritis, right shoulder injury, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent and 10 percent for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, respectively. The decision is based on the need for a new VA examination.