Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's initial ratings for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as his fibromyalgia, have been granted. His hypertension has also been granted with service connection based on the PACT Act. The TDIU and DEA benefits were also granted prior to May 21, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for TBI, HTN, bilateral hip and back disabilities, bilateral foot disability, and left elbow disability due to conflicting medical opinions and inadequate examination reports.

Service connection for hypertension associated with herbicide exposure is granted.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for a recurrent bilateral eye disability is granted.,Service connection for a recurrent heart disability (including atrial fibrillation and irregular heartbeat) is granted.,Service connection for a recurrent headache disability is granted.,Service connection for gout is denied.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, kidney disease/renal failure with hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss. The decision is effective from January 27, 2021.

The Veteran's hypertension is related to in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The Board finds service connection for hypertension granted due to the PACT Act presumption. Service connection for stroke and scar on the left side of face are remanded as there was a pre-decisional error regarding notification for VA examinations.

The Board has identified errors in the duty to assist and remands the claims for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder caused or aggravated his current heart conditions, including hyperlipidemia, high cholesterol, hypertension, and coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's service-connected exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam is found to be associated with his current diagnosis of hypertension, thus granting the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD. The claims for hypertension, diabetic nephropathy rating, and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension due to herbicide agent exposure are granted. The Board also remanded the remaining issues of service connection for right lower extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, right leg rash, left leg rash, obstructive sleep apnea, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as service-connected. The issues of headaches, right arm/shoulder condition, right foot condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder NOS) are remanded for further development.

Service connection for a heart condition (to include hypertension) and skin conditions are granted. Service connection for right upper extremity radiculopathy is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his reported exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The VA will obtain additional medical opinions and records to determine if these conditions are related to his military service, including any herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, erectile dysfunction, impaired fasting glucose or diabetes, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, a LEFT heel disorder, lumbar radiculopathy of both lower extremities, cervical radiculopathy of the RIGHT upper extremity, ulnar neuropathy / neuritis of the LEFT hand, and RIGHT eye conditions. The AOJ is instructed to obtain relevant federal records, secure missing Army Reserve medical records, and obtain VA treatment records from San Juan VAMC.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The issues of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, right wrist disability, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral foot disability are remanded.

The Veteran's right and left knee TKR are rated at 30 percent each, with a separate rating of 10 percent for instability of the right knee since February 2022. Service connection for hypertension is granted.

The Board has determined that service connection cannot be granted for hypercholesterolemia as it is not a disability. The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, heart disability, hypertension, and peripheral arterial disease are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has determined that additional evidence was added to the claims file after previous decisions and requires further review. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded for readjudication.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that the evidence is in approximate balance as to whether symptoms of hypertension were continuous since separation from service.