Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as a result of the PACT Act, which establishes a presumption for hypertension due to exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus II, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are all granted as related to exposure to firefighting foam during service.

The Veteran's claims for cervical radiculopathy of the upper extremities and degenerative arthritis of the spine are remanded due to lack of recent VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus type II is remanded as there were no recent private medical records submitted.,The Veteran's claim for degenerative arthritis of the hands, with ununited fracture ulnar styloid on the right, is remanded due to lack of recent VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for gout, bilateral great toe MTP joint, is remanded as there were no recent private medical records submitted.,The Veteran's claim for left ankle insertional Achilles tendinopathy with gout is remanded due to inadequate nexus opinion on the part of the VA examiner.,The Veteran's claim for hypertension is remanded as there was no current diagnosis in the October 2021 VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for nummular eczema is remanded due to an inadequate nexus opinion based on the absence of a presumptive condition list.,The Veteran's claim for prostate condition is remanded due to an inadequate nexus opinion based on the absence of a presumptive condition list.

The Board has determined that the grant of service connection for hypertension was improper due to secondary aggravation by PTSD, and has restored service connection.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for acid reflux, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, residuals of left ankle fracture, and urinary incontinence secondary to a psychiatric disorder. The other claims remain denied as new evidence does not relate to these issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension. The Board found new and relevant evidence to support these claims.,Service connection has also been established for left knee and right knee disabilities.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of June 1, 2015 for the grant of a TDIU and basic eligibility to DEA benefits. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of that date.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his active service in Thailand.

The Veteran's hypertension was not shown to be related to service, and thus service connection is denied.,Her chronic bronchitis has been asymptomatic throughout the appeal period, preventing a compensable rating under VA criteria.,Prior to November 18, 2020, her sinusitis did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating due to its asymptomatic nature.,The Veteran's herpes did not affect more than 20% of her entire body or exposed areas and did not require corticosteroid or other immunosuppressant drugs for at least 6 weeks, preventing an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent.,Her left ankle disability did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent due to marked limitation of motion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of hypertension is being remanded due to inadequate compliance with the Board's prior remand directive and a need for an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service connection due to the PACT Act, and his erectile dysfunction is also granted. The bilateral renal cysts are denied, with a remand for further review of the renal neoplasm.,Service connection for renal neoplasm remains in dispute, requiring additional medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to insufficient information regarding in-service exposure to toxins, particularly burn pits. The claims are being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for hypertension and found that it is related to herbicide exposure, specifically Agent Orange. The claim is now granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for service-connected hypertension is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's hypertension and left ankle injury with bony degree of the medial malleolus are currently rated at 10 percent each, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,VA has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for hypertension due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's hypertension is being evaluated again, with a focus on its relationship to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents and his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA opinion to determine if any of the Veteran's conditions that caused his death were related to his active military service, including in-service complaints of chest pain.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as a presumptive condition caused by Agent Orange exposure. The service connection for erectile dysfunction, secondary to hypertension, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development regarding potential exposure to herbicide agents during service in Panama. The Veteran's claims for various conditions are now pending.

The Board has granted an effective date of June 20, 2012 for service connection of chronic kidney disease associated with hypertension due to diabetes. The claim of entitlement to a higher initial rating for chronic kidney disease associated with hypertension is remanded.