Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to insufficient opinions regarding their service connection, causation of obesity/weight gain by service-connected disabilities, and exposure to environmental hazards. The Veteran's representative provided articles on the relationship between psychiatric disorders and hypertension as well as weight gain and depression.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction as secondary to a service-connected acquired psychiatric disability, but the claim for service connection for migraines is remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for hypertension, as it was not adequately addressed in the previous examination regarding whether his hypertension is secondary to a service-connected respiratory disorder and deep vein thrombosis.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted service connection effective August 10, 2022, due to presumed exposure to herbicides. The issue of entitlement for the period prior to this date remains unresolved and requires further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for a new opinion considering all evidence of record, including her symptoms prior to active duty.

The Veteran's service connection claim for Bell's Palsy is denied. A 40 percent rating, but no higher, is granted for a lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's cervical spine disorder and hypertension are not rated higher than the current levels. Service connection for PTSD is also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for hypertension has been dismissed due to his death prior to the issuance of a Board decision.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, and kidney failure are granted service connection. The peripheral neuropathy of the upper right and lower extremities as well as the residuals of CVA are remanded for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure under the Honoring our PACT Act of 2022. The Veteran's current diagnosis of hypertension is presumed related to his in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the VA Centralized Eligibility and Appeals Team (CEAT) decision denying eligibility for PCAFC benefits was inadequate, as it did not address whether the Veteran requires personal care services each time he completes one or more activities of daily living (ADLs). The case is being remanded to conduct an updated medical review.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities has been granted, resulting in special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been granted, with a grant of an initial rating of 30 percent.,Service connection was also established for ischemic heart disease (IHD), but the Veteran's request for a higher initial rating of greater than 30 percent was denied. The Veteran is now receiving a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and hypertension were not shown as chronic in service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, continuity of symptomatology is not established, and are not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's ischemic heart disease was not secondary to a service-connected disability, was not shown as chronic in service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, continuity of symptomatology is not established, and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The evidence of record persuasively weighs against finding that the Veteran has had chloracne at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.,The evidence of record persuasively weighs against finding that the Veteran has had bilateral tinea pedis at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.,The evidence of record persuasively weighs against finding that a right cheek laceration scar began during active service, or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The cerebrovascular accident is not secondary to a service-connected disability and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is not secondary to a service-connected disability and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is not secondary to a service-connected disability and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is not secondary to a service-connected disability and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is not secondary to a service-connected disability and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The bilateral hearing loss was not shown as chronic in service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, continuity of symptomatology is not established, and is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hypertension is granted due to exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam, and the PACT Act provides presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and atrial fibrillation as secondary to hypertension are granted. However, his claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder with anxious distress, lumbar spine disability, painful scars of the right knee, hypertension, and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's hypertension is presumed to be related to service exposure. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and vertigo are remanded due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and lack of evidence regarding his in-service exposure to asbestos and herbicide agents.,Specifically, the Board requested an addendum VA opinion or examination to address whether the Veteran's BPH, cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, eye disorder, hypertension, and heart disorder are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and hemorrhoids, finding that there was no evidence of continuous or recurrent symptoms since separation from active service. The Veteran's assertions of symptomatology during or after service were not supported by contemporaneous medical records.