Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for various foot conditions have been denied due to lack of evidence supporting the onset or relationship of these conditions to service.

The Veteran's hypertension was rated at 10 percent, and the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange.

The Veteran's service connection claims for leukemia, diabetes, gallbladder disability, hypertension, myeloma, pressure hives, gout, and joint pain have all been denied. The Board found the evidence did not support a finding of exposure to ionizing radiation or non-ionizing radiation that could be related to these conditions.,The Veteran was diagnosed with leukemia in 2007, diabetes in 2003, gallbladder disability in 1990, and had other diagnoses but no residuals at any time during the pendency of the claim. The Board found there was insufficient evidence to support a finding that these conditions were related to service.

The Board has determined that the VA examination provided in this case is inadequate and remands the matter for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU prior to August 16, 2019. The case is being remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection. The cases of rheumatoid arthritis, gouty arthritis, cervical spine disorder, penis deformity and loss of erectile power, and benign prostatic hypertrophy are all remanded for further development.

The Veteran's hypertension is related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents during active military service and has been granted service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is granted due to the PACT Act, which establishes a presumption of service connection for hypertension associated with herbicide exposure. The Board finds that the Veteran meets the criteria for this presumption.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is related to his presumed herbicide exposure while serving in Vietnam, and thus grants service connection for hypertension pursuant to the PACT Act. However, due to inadequate VA medical opinions regarding a direct relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his military service, the issue of service connection on a direct basis must be remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding it presumed due to herbicide exposure during the Veteran's service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and hypertension, both claimed as due to herbicide exposure, have been denied. The evidence submitted does not support the presumption of herbicide exposure or establish a direct link between the conditions and military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for migraine/tension headaches, hypertension, and narcolepsy due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for hypertension, to include a separate rating for cerebral ischemia, is denied. The Board has remanded the claims of service connection and TDIU due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.,Direct service connection for hypertension, CVA, and acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending as further development is needed.,Service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder secondary to prostate cancer or HTN is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and right knee disability, finding that the evidence did not establish a clear and unmistakable pre-existence of these conditions prior to service or during any period of active duty.

The Board has determined that an earlier effective date for the increased evaluation of the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is not warranted. The issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has granted service connection for PTSD, headaches as secondary to a psychiatric disability, skin disability, chronic sinusitis, GERD, tinnitus, and hypertension. The claim for blood in stool is denied. The Board has also remanded several issues related to the Veteran's disabilities.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted service connection due to in-service Agent Orange exposure. Service connection for a respiratory disability, including as secondary to type II diabetes, is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents and/or dioxides during his active duty service, particularly at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam. The AOJ is directed to attempt to verify any such exposures and obtain relevant VA medical records.