Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and gout due to service connection issues, including addressing the most recent study by the National Academy of Sciences that elevated hypertension to a category of 'sufficient' evidence of an association with herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran is also seeking secondary service connection for both conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for bladder disability due to withdrawal. The claims of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, hypertension, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, cervical spine disability, obstructive sleep apnea, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory condition, and GERD are all REMANDED due to new evidence received.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that it originated during active service due to presumed exposure to herbicides in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension as secondary to OSA due to insufficient opinions regarding direct service connection, secondary service connection, and aggravation.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of dental trauma, hypertension, and tinnitus were denied as the evidence did not show a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there is no evidence of initial manifestations of hypertension during or within one year after service and that it was not caused by an in-service injury or disease. The Board also found that there is no link between the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents and his hypertension.

The Veteran's tinnitus and PTSD have been granted service connection. The Board has found the evidence in approximate balance regarding whether his bilateral hearing loss, heart disorder, erectile dysfunction, headaches, hypertension, visual disorder, skin disorder, and respiratory disorder are related to service. These issues remain remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his employment history and current mental health conditions do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disability and hypertension due to lack of evidence showing in-service onset or continuity of symptoms, and the weight of evidence does not support presumptive service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Orange. As a result, the claim for service connection for hypertension is granted.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and opinions are needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy, PFB, hypertension, and right knee disability. The appeal is being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to additional development needed, including obtaining credentialing documents and providing an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between hypertension and service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for higher disability rating, service connection, TDIU prior to July 26, 2019, and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and a stroke (cerebrovascular accident) as secondary to uncontrolled hypertension. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea and grants this claim.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that it was not incurred in or caused by active service and is not related to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's hypertension was not shown during service and is not related to his military service.,No chronic back disability was found during service. The Veteran has current symptoms, but no evidence of a chronic condition in service.,There is no evidence of a right eye disability during service or any connection between the Veteran's current eye problems and service.,The Veteran does not have a diagnosed bilateral knee condition that can be linked to his military service.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for an addendum opinion considering the association between exposure to herbicide agents and hypertension described in NAS Veterans and Agent Orange: Update 11.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the STRs do not show any treatment or complaints related to this condition.,Service connection for myocardial infarction is denied because there is no indication that it occurred during active duty, reserve duty, or within one year post-service. The Veteran's STRs are silent on heart problems, and his current diagnosis of a myocardial infarction is not linked to service.,The claim for service connection for PTSD is denied as the Veteran did not have any in-service stressors that were verified by VA and there is no evidence linking his current psychiatric condition to service. The STRs do not show any treatment or diagnoses related to a psychiatric disability.,Service connection for hypertension is denied because there is no indication of hypertension during active duty, and post-service records are negative for this condition. There is also no link between the Veteran's current diagnosis of hypertension and his military service.,The claim for low back disability is remanded as the VA examiner did not consider the Veteran's STRs showing a motor vehicle accident in service that resulted in back pain, nor did they perform any diagnostic testing.,Service connection for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is denied because there are no STRs indicating treatment or complaints related to this condition during active duty. The VA examiner also noted the absence of contemporaneous medical records showing evaluation or treatment for the claimed conditions.,Service connection for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is denied for similar reasons as right knee, with no STRs indicating treatment or complaints related to this condition during active duty and no diagnostic testing performed by the VA examiner.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development regarding the Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension and headaches. Additional information is needed about the Veteran's military service, including any National Guard service. The VA treatment records from his lifetime are also required.