Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes and resulting obesity.,The Veteran's hypertension is granted due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's request to reopen claims for service connection for hypertension and a bilateral hand disability has been granted. The initial increased rating of 30 percent for kidney stones is also granted.,Service connection for hypertension and a bilateral hand disability remains remanded, while the claim for an increased rating for GERD is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted. The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee, left knee, low back, acquired psychiatric disorder (e.g., PTSD, Anxiety, Depression), GERD, hemorrhoids, hypertension, left ankle, right ankle, left elbow, left shoulder, left wrist, right wrist, and sciatic nerve disorders affecting both lower extremities are all service-connected.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral foot fungus, hypertension, and seizure disorder were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability related to service. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a clinical diagnosis of a seizure disorder at any time during the appeal period.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the award of service connection for diabetic nephropathy with hypertension, TDIU rating, and DEA benefits.,The Veteran's kidney function was noted to have decreased significantly from 2010 onwards, leading the VA examiner to conclude that his diabetic nephropathy with hypertension began around this time.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the relationship between the Veteran's claimed conditions and his military service, particularly regarding herbicide exposure.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of hypertension did not begin during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury.,The Board also denied service connection for residuals of frostbite on the bilateral feet, concluding that there was no evidence of such condition during service and no current disability.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, diabetes mellitus, type II, and congestive heart failure, all of which are related to the Veteran's exposure to toxic chemicals, specifically benzene, while stationed at Camp Pendleton during his period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA).

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis prior to January 6, 2020 is being remanded due to the need for substantial compliance with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand, effective from the date of the PACT Act.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and whether his service-connected conditions contributed substantially or materially to his death. The appellant must provide an adequate opinion on these issues.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, cerebrovascular accident, a heart disability (coronary artery disease and valvular heart disease), an acquired psychiatric disability (major depressive disorder with psychosis), and right and left shoulder disabilities. The cases are remanded for further development.

Service connection is granted for diabetes mellitus, type 2 and hypertension.,Service connection is also granted for right Charcot foot, right lower extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, right foot ulcer, right foot hallux rigidus, right upper extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity neuropathy, right knee ulcer, erectile dysfunction, and gout. These conditions are presumed to be related to service due to exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hypertension is granted due to the PACT Act, which expanded the presumption of service connection for hypertension associated with exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran served in Vietnam and was presumed exposed to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as presumptively related to herbicide agent exposure. His right eye cataracts and residuals of left eye cataracts are granted as secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. The Board finds no evidence that the bilateral senile arcus, left eye epiretinal membrane, or drusen of the left retina are related to his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and hypertension are granted as presumptively related to service exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand. The bilateral hearing loss is also granted, with the Board finding it at least as likely as not related to service. However, the Veteran's bilateral knee disability and back disability remain pending due to a need for additional medical examination.,The Veteran's bilateral knee disability and back disability are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for left ankle achilles rupture repair and hypertension were denied as there was not sufficient evidence to warrant a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type II have been granted due to the PACT Act. The claim for a back disability (claimed as a laminectomy) is denied. The TDIU claim is also denied.