Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's hypertension, which was related to his service-connected disabilities and/or exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran needs a new VA examination with a different examiner who will address these issues.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate medical opinions and inextricably intertwined issues of service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and its related secondary conditions due to insufficient reasoning in the previous VA opinion. The case is also remanded for service connection of kidney failure, hypothyroidism, bilateral macular edema, hypertension, high cholesterol, arthritis, diabetic neuropathy of the right lower extremity, diabetic neuropathy of the left lower extremity, chronic anemia, and a dental disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is secondary to his service-connected hypertension, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and his military service, particularly in relation to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea, but dismissed the claims for low back strain and bilateral pes planus.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and heart disorder as secondary to hypertension, finding that the Veteran's preexisting hypertension did not worsen during service.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of all issues related to his service connection claims for right ear hearing loss, left knee disorder, right knee strain, and hypertension. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for vertigo, headaches, and hypertension due to PTSD. The claims are being remanded because there were deficiencies in the post-remand development of these claims.

The Veteran's claim for hypertension, PTSD (claimed as anxiety, depressed mood, and sleep disturbances), and bilateral cataracts has been remanded due to the need for further development.,No effective date is assigned as the claims are being remanded.

The claim for service connection for residuals of rocket fragment to the left side of his head has been reopened due to new and material evidence. The effective date is not earlier than August 13, 2012.,Service connection for tinnitus was granted with an effective date of August 13, 2012. An increased rating in excess of 10 percent is denied.,Coronary artery disease (CAD) due to herbicide exposure has been granted. Service connection for hypertension (HTN) and other conditions have not yet been resolved.,Service connection for chronic headaches, bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine arthritis, bilateral knee arthritis, and bilateral elbow arthritis remains pending.,Total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is also pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and relationship of hypertension to service, particularly considering environmental exposures during deployment.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been remanded due to the need for further development and examination.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to in-service exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,The Board also denied service connection for GERD, finding no causal link between the condition and military service.

Service connection is granted for gout and hypertension.,Respiratory disorder (asthma) requires further examination to determine if it was incurred in service or due to service-connected gout.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it did not manifest during service or within a year of separation and is not related to his active service or secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension secondary to service-connected PTSD due to outstanding VA treatment records and an inadequate addendum medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 3, 2017.

The Veteran's hypertension, left knee disability, residuals of gallbladder removal surgery, sleep apnea, heart condition, skin disability, headaches and dizziness, and allergic rhinitis have all been denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Issues such as entitlement to service connection for a heart condition, skin disability, headaches and dizziness, and allergic rhinitis are being remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, contact dermatitis, revision of an August 2008 rating decision denying service connection for depression based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE), and an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension due to incomplete records. The Veteran's VA examinations are also needed.