Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous instructions, specifically regarding obtaining private treatment records for hypertension from Dr. F.M.

The Board denied service connection for high blood pressure and stomach ulcers as there is no evidence that these conditions began during active service or are related to any in-service event, injury, or disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and bilateral cataracts due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. Specifically, a new medical opinion is needed on whether these conditions are related to Agent Orange exposure in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder, left knee limitation of extension, right ankle arthritis, and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 29, 2016. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and Meniere's disease due to conflicting medical opinions and need for further clarification regarding the severity of his conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated 10 percent disabling, effective March 27, 2014. The Board has determined that a higher rating for hypertension is not warranted and the case is remanded to determine an appropriate effective date prior to March 27, 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition and hypertension due to inadequate nexus opinions provided by VA clinicians. The clinician's opinions were found to be insufficient, particularly regarding the relationship between alcohol abuse and the Veteran's cardiovascular conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been reopened, but the Board is remanding the case to determine if his current hypertension is related to exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hypertension should be remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a new opinion on whether his hypertension is related to service or PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for left and right knee disabilities, hypertension, and low back disability due to inadequate opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's periods of active duty training (ADT) and in-service training (IDT) are noted.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and COPD due to herbicide exposure, requiring additional medical opinions to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for tinea pedis, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, costochondritis, and vasomotor rhinitis were denied. The Board found insufficient evidence to support the Veteran's claims for these conditions. Service connection was not granted for tinea pedis due to lack of in-service manifestation or relationship to service. A 10 percent rating for hypertension was granted based on diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more requiring continuous medication. Bilateral hearing loss and costochondritis were denied as there was no evidence of the required manifestations. Vasomotor rhinitis was denied due to lack of nasal polyps, obstruction, or other specified conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his military service and his current condition. The Board also noted that hypertension is not among the presumptive conditions associated with herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's TDIU claim from August 2, 2018 is granted. The VA has not completed the necessary development for his increased rating claims and remanded issues.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's current hypertension and pulmonary hypertension are related to his military service, specifically his exposure to refrigerant chemicals during ACDUTRA.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetic nephropathy, DDD of the lumbar spine and lumbar spondylosis with radiculopathy, posterior tibialis tenosynovitis of the right ankle, and arthritis of the right knee have been granted. The kidney condition is secondary to hypertension.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for Parkinson's disease (now characterized as essential tremor), diabetes mellitus, and other disabilities. The appeal is being returned to the RO for further review of new evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been withdrawn for several conditions, including hearing loss, left knee condition, right knee condition, left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, left foot condition, and right foot condition. The claims for varicose veins, lower back condition, left ankle sprain, and right ankle sprain are granted.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a lower back condition is being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum VA opinion for the Veteran's hypertension claim due to inadequate opinions in previous examinations.