Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that there is no separate service connection for facial numbness and has remanded the case to obtain updated evidence regarding the Veteran's hypertension.

The Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type II, are rated as they currently manifest. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea, arthritis, low back disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, peripheral neuropathy, right hand, left hand, left lower extremity, and right lower extremity.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which include cardiomyopathy, reactive airway disease, obstructive sleep apnea, primary insomnia, right shoulder degenerative joint disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), left and right ankle strains, bilateral lattice peripheral retinal degeneration, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and migraine headaches, have a combined rating of 100 percent. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for an employment handicap due to his service-connected disabilities, as he has overcome any impairment to employability. Therefore, VR&E services under Chapter 31 are denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating of hypertension is dismissed as withdrawn. The claim for service connection of the right foot disability, including as secondary to service-connected right achilles tendon rupture repair, is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension due to a failure to obtain VA examinations as part of the previous remand.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for a separate heart condition, including an aortic aneurysm as secondary to service-connected CAD and hypertension. The initial rating claim for CAD is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder disability and hypertension have been reopened, but the Board has remanded these issues due to new evidence. The PTSD claim is denied as there was no increase in severity within a year prior to July 26, 2018.,The earlier effective dates for residuals of shotgun injury with muscle groups XVI and XVII are granted, while those for muscle group XVII are denied.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the death of the appellant, as it does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these appeals.

The Board has dismissed the claim of service connection for hypertension due to withdrawal by the Veteran's attorney. The claims for increased rating for hammertoes and service connection for a nasal condition are remanded.

The appeal of service connection for asthma is dismissed. The Veteran's claims under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a CV disorder and hypertension are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning in a previous VA examination regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension was aggravated by his service-connected bladder cancer.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been reopened and granted. The initial rating for PTSD remains at 70 percent, but the Veteran is now eligible for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, respiratory condition, heart condition, and stroke residuals as secondary to hypertension due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of hypertension and sleep apnea for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions on whether these conditions had onset in service or permanently increased during service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that the condition manifested to a compensable degree within one year of the Veteran's separation from active duty in September 2003.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, atrial fibrillation, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and hypertension as there was no evidence of a current disability or a causal relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's OSA and hypertension are aggravated by his service-connected disabilities or medications.

The Veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or at the housebound rate due to his ability to perform daily activities independently.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested withdrawal of all issues related to his service connection claims for a right knee disability, left knee disability, hypertension, and skin disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension have been dismissed. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted.