Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, PFB, and TDIU due to insufficient evidence of current disability severity during active phases.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected due to exposure to herbicide agents during active duty. The stroke and spinal stenosis are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension. The heart disability and seizure disorder cases are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for TBI and PTSD are denied due to failure to appear for scheduled VA examinations.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for hypertension is denied as his diastolic pressure has not been predominantly 110 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more during the appeal period.,No effective date was provided in this decision.

The appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the cause of death and service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is rated at 30 percent prior to March 24, 2021 and in excess of 30 percent from that date.,The Veteran's hypertension was not rated higher than 10 percent prior to March 24, 2021. From March 24, 2021 onwards, the rating is denied as there are no episodes meeting the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the cases of osteoarthritis and hypertension for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's hypertension and left wrist disability are not service-connected due to presumed exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,Regarding the left wrist disability, the Board finds that it is more likely related to repetitive stress during active service rather than exposure to contaminated water.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension, as these conditions are claimed to be secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Veteran's post splenectomy is rated at the maximum allowable schedular rating of 20 percent. The Board denied an increased rating for this condition, as there was no evidence showing systemic infections with encapsulated bacteria resulting from the splenectomy.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a heart disability and hypertension, as well as the claim for TDIU due to unresolved issues regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents and his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's death was not due to any service-connected disability, and there were no pending claims for accrued benefits at the time of his death.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, but the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted. The evidence does not show total occupational and social impairment due to symptoms such as persistent delusions or hallucinations, memory loss, or disorientation to time and place.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, sleep apnea, hypertension, pemphigus foliaceous, diabetes, and hydronephrosis have been granted. The Board found that new evidence submitted by the Veteran established a relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to insufficient opinions regarding obesity and sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased ratings due to incomplete records. The AOJ is required to obtain all outstanding scanned records, including those from non-VA providers, and any SSA disability decisions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to inadequate examinations, missing medical records, and need for additional opinions regarding peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and lack of authorization for VA to request private treatment records. The Veteran is requested to provide additional information regarding his in-service motor vehicle accident, post-service employment exposure, and prison medical history.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable disability rating at any time during the period on appeal, as his blood pressure readings have consistently been below the threshold required for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death prior to a final decision. The claims for service connection and TDIU are not before the Board.