Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and chronic kidney stones due to herbicide exposure, as well as their secondary effects from service-connected PTSD. The case requires additional development including obtaining an addendum medical opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for further evidentiary development, including obtaining new etiology opinions that consider a theory of entitlement related to obesity and PTSD.

The Board denied all initial and increased rating claims for nephrolithiasis with hypertension, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for any of the assigned ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for gout and hypertension due to issues with obtaining addendum opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran contends that his gout is caused by service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, and/or alcohol use disorder, while his hypertension may be related to in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and herbicide exposure. The AOJ is required to obtain an addendum opinion from a cardiologist or appropriate specialist.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus was not incurred during service and is denied.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating.,The Veteran's hypertension does not warrant a compensable rating.,The Veteran's chronic low back strain with degenerative changes does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.,The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is remanded for further review.,The Veteran's right knee disability prior to April 16, 2019, and after June 1, 2020, remains on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable from December 2, 2013 to May 8, 2017 due to the combined effect of multiple conditions including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and orthopedic issues.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that his condition does not warrant a higher rating as his systolic pressure is predominantly below 200 mmHg and diastolic pressure is predominantly below 110 mmHg.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and penile and scrotal cancer due to herbicide agent exposure, as there is insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran should be afforded a VA examination to determine if his conditions are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current diagnosis and his active-duty service.,Service connection was also denied for a cervical spine condition claimed as secondary to his right knee disability. The Board found insufficient medical evidence linking this condition to service.

The Veteran's hypertension and erectile dysfunction (ED) associated with prostate cancer are being remanded for further evaluation as the current evidence is insufficient to determine their severity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for hypertension as it is unclear whether his condition was caused by service-connected ischemic heart disease or due to herbicide exposure. A new VA medical opinion is needed to clarify this.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives and additional development is required.

The Board has remanded the claims for cardiovascular, urinary, and bilateral foot disabilities due to potential service connection based on herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran's heart, urinary, and foot conditions are being examined again to determine if they are related to herbicide exposure.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension, finding that the conditions were not incurred or caused by service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's skin disorder is currently under review due to the need for additional evidence.,No current diagnosis of high blood pressure, retroperitoneal fibrosis, or back mass has been established.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was incurred during service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's heart disability was granted a 100% rating effective March 21, 2017. Service connection for hypertension was granted due to exposure to tactical herbicides.