Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to in-service herbicide exposure and secondary conditions. The issues include DM, hepatitis C, HTN, a skin condition (excluding tinea versicolor), including eczema and dermatitis, and kidney failure.

The Veteran's hypertension is related to his exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Board finds that the diagnosed hypertension and presumed exposure to herbicide agents cannot be conclusively disassociated, and grants service connection for hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's cardiovascular disability, including hypertension, is aggravated by her service-connected asthma and other conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of consideration of staged disability ratings and the need for updated VA records and an examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence linking his current diagnosis to his military service or any other condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for OSA, headaches, and hyperthyroidism with RLS are granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The claims for gastroenteritis, sinusitis, and hypertension were denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including left ear hearing loss and hypertension. The reasons for remand include obtaining additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.,Several initial rating claims have also been remanded, including those for shoulder, hip, knee, and spine disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for deviated septum, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for patellofemoral pain syndrome, right knee claimed as instability has been withdrawn. The Veteran's left ankle condition is granted service connection due to its being proximately due to his service-connected left knee disability. The cases of hypertension and hip conditions are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's pes planus was granted a higher rating of 50 percent since January 18, 2021. The remaining issues were remanded for further development.,Service connection was established for stomach disability and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for renal cancer and hypertension due to potential exposure to Agent Orange during service. The Veteran's service was within 12 nautical miles of the Republic of Vietnam, qualifying him for presumptive exposure under the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development and review.,The Veteran's sleep apnea claim is being reviewed to determine if it is secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disability (Chronic Adjustment Disorder).,The matter of whether the Veteran's Mild Neurocognitive Disorder (manifesting as memory loss) is secondary to his newly service-connected psychiatric disability will be submitted for review.,The Board has remanded several claims related to sleep apnea and its relationship to the Veteran's service-connected inguinal hernia and surgical scar.,Several skin disorder claims are being reviewed, including whether they are secondary to exposure to herbicide agents or other chemicals.,The Veteran's hypertension claim is being reviewed for secondary service connection based on his service-connected inguinal hernia and/or exposure to herbicide agents.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus claim is also being reviewed for secondary service connection based on his service-connected inguinal hernia and/or exposure to herbicide agents.,Several other claims are being remanded, including those related to sleep apnea, memory loss, skin disorders, heart disorder, sinus disorder, left shoulder disorder, gout, knee disorder, leg disorder, visual disorder, prostate disorder, foot disorder, and thyroid disorder.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is also being reviewed.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to incomplete documentation of the Veteran's Navy Reserve service dates and personnel records. The Veteran will need to provide a list of all-inclusive dates for ADT and IDT, as well as obtain their service treatment and personnel records from the Department of the Navy.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in approximate balance as to whether the Veteran's hypertension is proximately due to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. As such, service connection for hypertension may be granted on this basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and colon polyps due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations. The case is returned for further development.

The Board has found that the Veteran's hypertension and porphyria cutanea tarda are related to his service in Vietnam, but there is insufficient evidence to determine if they were caused by herbicide exposure. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of migraines, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and gastritis have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since February 22, 2013. The Board has granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) effective from that date.

DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 are denied, and the case is remanded for further evaluation of service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to establish a current skin condition or hypertension, and thus the Veteran's claims for service connection are denied. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for supraventricular arrythmia. The claim for a neck disability is denied, and the claims for secondary service connection for hypertension and hypertensive heart disease are remanded.