Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and kidney disabilities may be related to his presumed exposure to herbicides during service. The AOJ is instructed to obtain complete copies of the Veteran's service treatment records, arrange for a medical opinion on the etiology of his hypertension and kidneys disabilities, and ensure that these opinions comply with the directives.

The Veteran's tension headaches were granted a 50% rating effective May 13, 2019. The other conditions and disabilities were not found to warrant compensable ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation until his retirement in December 2018 due to health issues and 'life in general'.

The Veteran's hypertension has been granted a 10% disability rating, while his erectile dysfunction remains at a noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for high cholesterol, hypertension, liver disorder, and eye disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The Veteran has not been provided with an examination regarding his high cholesterol claim.

The Veteran's hypertension and cardiovascular condition are denied as there is no evidence of an in-service onset or causation.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as the evidence supports its in-service onset, but not service connection due to lack of a nexus.,The Veteran's eye condition is remanded for clarification on whether it represents a separate disability from his service-connected allergic rhinitis.,The Veteran's numbness of the left upper extremity and bilateral knee condition are remanded for further examination and opinion regarding their etiology.,The Veteran's chronic sinusitis is remanded to determine if it is distinct from his service-connected allergic rhinitis, and whether its onset or causation can be linked to service.,The Veteran's hypothyroidism is denied as there was no in-service diagnosis of the condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for tic or nervous twitch disorder, headaches, and dizziness as there is no current disability found. The Board also noted that any tics or twitches would be considered part of his adjustment disorder or other diagnosed mental disorder.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea, so the cases are dismissed.

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

The appeal for service connection of hypertension has been dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding hypertension and service connection for left, right leg numbness, and arm numbness. The claims were dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for DM, hypertension, and a brain disorder that manifests as a stroke due to in-service exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's DM is not service-connected, and there is no evidence of in-service exposure or continuity of symptomatology.,Service connection was also denied for hypertension and a brain disorder secondary to DM because the Veteran's DM is not service-connected.

The appeal for service connection for hypertension is dismissed as the issue has been granted. The case of service connection for a kidney disorder is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Board denied reopening the claims for hepatitis C, hypertension, and bilateral hallux valgus due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran's testimony regarding persistence of high blood pressure after service and prolonged standing in service did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's headaches are aggravated by his service-connected hypertension and PTSD, and the Board has granted service connection for these headaches as secondary to those conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and opinions regarding his respiratory, arthritic, non-arthritic cold weather injury residuals, sinus, and hypertension disabilities. The issues include determining whether these conditions are related to service or any incident of service.

The Veteran's hepatitis claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis of hepatitis.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his hearing loss began during service or is related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Veteran's personality disorder and low sex drive claims are withdrawn by the appellant.,The Veteran's balance issue claim is remanded for further examination to determine its etiology.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus claim is remanded as VA records need to be obtained and a medical opinion provided regarding its onset and relationship to service.,The Veteran's hypertension claim is remanded due to the inextricably intertwined nature with his diabetes mellitus claim.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation) claim is withdrawn by the appellant.,The Veteran's narcolepsy claim is remanded for further examination to determine its etiology.,The Veteran's insomnia claim is remanded due to the inextricably intertwined nature with his back and left knee disability claims.,The Veteran's chronic fatigue claim is remanded due to the inextricably intertwined nature with his acquired psychiatric disability (depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation) claim.,The Veteran's back disability claim is remanded for further examination to determine its etiology.,The Veteran's left knee disability claim is remanded for further examination to determine its etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, a bilateral shoulder condition, and fibromyalgia due to insufficient medical opinions in the original decision.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension and bilateral rotator cuff impingement syndrome are remanded due to the need for additional opinions regarding their service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and heart disorder, to include mitral valve disease due to incomplete development of the record.