Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that it originated during active service and is related to exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran meets the requirements for special monthly compensation based on housebound status from December 6, 2017 due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, asthma, sleep apnea, bilateral upper extremity polyneuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity polyneuropathy have been granted. The appeals are remanded for additional development regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection of asthma and sleep apnea, as well as his claims for service connection of bilateral upper and lower extremity polyneuropathy.

The Veteran's spouse, L.H., is the caregiver and has been providing personal care services for him. The Board found that participation in the PCAFC would significantly enhance his ability to live safely at home. However, the claim was remanded due to incomplete caregiver training and assessment.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that his kidney disabilities are secondary to his hypertension. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction has been granted service connection but not prior to February 18, 2020.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's active duty in Vietnam is related to his current condition. The decision is based on the presumption of service connection due to exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his grant of service connection for hypertension is granted. The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for hypertension, and for service connection for PTSD and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues for further examination and opinion, including service connection for hypertension, heart disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, depression, and anxiety. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is denied as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and the failure to obtain all relevant VA treatment records.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has decided to remand for further evaluation. The case will be returned to the AOJ for scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is at least as likely as not caused by in-service exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Orange. As a result, service connection for hypertension is granted.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicides. The issues of right and left leg conditions are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's heart disease, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his active service and presumed exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange). The decision also grants presumptive service connection for chronic hypertension due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) and Total Disability Rating Based Upon Individual Unemployability due to Service-Connected Disabilities (TDIU).,The Veteran's last day of substantially gainful employment was May 11, 2015. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU prior to this date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of chronic fatigue syndrome is denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a diagnosed disability.,The Veteran's hypertension claim is remanded to provide an initial VA examination and opinion regarding whether it is a diagnosable, but medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness or if it has a known etiology related to service exposure. The examiner should also address whether there was manifestation of the condition within one year of separation from active duty.,The Veteran's bilateral knee claims are remanded for an examination and opinion regarding whether his arthritis manifested to a compensable degree within one year of separation from active duty, and if so, whether it is aggravated by service. The examiner should also address any complaints of knee pain in October 2012.

The Veteran's claims for arthritis, hearing loss, hypertension, and asthma have been dismissed. The Board has remanded the remaining issues including service connection for left elbow, knee, hip conditions and secondary service connection for anxiety and depression.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and for additional opinions regarding service connection for hypertension, including consideration of secondary service connection.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and hypertension are presumed to be related to his service in Thailand, where he was exposed to herbicide agents. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions. However, the issues of service connection for sleep apnea (due to herbicide exposure) and erectile dysfunction (secondary to service-connected prostate and hypertension) remain pending and need further development.

Service connection for hypertension is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during service. The issue of TDIU is remanded as the grant may affect the combined disability rating.

The Board has dismissed all appeals regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, as the Veteran died during the pendency of these appeals.