Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Crohn's disease, hypertension, heart disability, basal cell carcinoma, Graves' disease, and GERD are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disability, hypertension (HTN), and stroke. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities or a link between these conditions and active service.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions provided are inadequate and requires additional development for the claims of service connection for hypertension, right ear condition, sinus condition, left knee condition, and low back condition.

The Veteran's hypertension, back condition, heart condition, neuropathy of the arms, hands, and legs, dementia, and tinnitus were not found to be related to service.,Service connection was denied for all claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for hepatitis B due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional private treatment records.,The Veteran's hyperaldosteronism and hypokalemia are being remanded as there were insufficient explanations in the previous VA examination regarding their onset, cause, or relation to herbicide exposure during service.,The Veteran's hypokalemia is also being remanded due to inadequate explanations from the previous VA examiner about its relationship to hyperaldosteronism and herbicide exposure.,The Board has remanded the issue of hypertension as there was insufficient explanation in the previous VA examination regarding its relation to herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and hypertension due to inadequate medical opinions in previous VA examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which he contends are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including consideration of new VA treatment records and hospitalization reports. The issues include rating adjustments for various conditions and service connection for additional disabilities.

Service connection is granted for hypothyroidism and chronic kidney disease, but the Veteran's thyroid disability other than hypothyroidism (Graves' disease and hyperthyroidism) and hypertension are not service-connected.,The Board finds that the evidence is in approximate balance as to whether the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his PTSD and in-service herbicide exposure caused his hypertension, heart disease, and heart failure which contributed to his death.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. The case is REMANDED to obtain addendum opinions regarding the Veteran's hypertension, heart disorder (claimed as ischemic heart disease), and TDIU claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and ADHD. The cases are now remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty in Vietnam is presumed and that there is sufficient evidence linking this condition to such exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA treatment records and an incomplete addendum opinion regarding his hypertension.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, chronic kidney disease, and hypertension are related to exposure to herbicide agents. The claims for these conditions will be remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a heart disability and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that additional VA examinations are needed to determine if these conditions have been caused or aggravated by his now service-connected hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides in Thailand, which could impact his claims for service connection. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions including diabetes mellitus, bilateral upper and lower extremity neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease as a result of herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and lumbar spine disorder were denied as they are not shown to be causally related to service or service-connected conditions.,Service connection was also denied for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities due to lack of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's nerve pain and/or neuropathy, as well as his hypertension, are remanded for further review due to new evidence added to the claims file. A VA examination is required to determine if these conditions are related to presumed herbicide exposure during service.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and lung condition (COPD) as the evidence did not support a link to active duty service, including exposure to herbicide agents or lead. The Veteran's current conditions were found to be unrelated to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further review due to additional medical evidence being added to the claims file.