Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension due to potential exposure to contaminants during service. The Veteran's diagnoses of these conditions are confirmed, but further investigation into his alleged exposure is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension on a direct service connection theory, supported by evidence indicating an association between hypertension and exposure to herbicides, including Agent Orange.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has denied service connection for headache disorder, hypertension (HTN), and foot sores as these conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's disabilities, including right knee, left knee, bilateral hand and back disabilities. The VA will conduct further examinations and obtain medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for right knee disability, hypertension, tension headaches (prior to October 5, 2021), and sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for further development. The claim for tension headaches is granted since October 5, 2021.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, renal disability, and SMC based on aid or attendance/housebound rate due to new evidence added since the April 2022 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and migraine headaches, as secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder with alcohol use disorder. The VA is instructed to obtain addendum opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions, including whether they are related to burn pit exposure in the Persian Gulf.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for a back disorder and hypertension. The examiner is asked to determine if there is clear and unmistakable evidence that these conditions preexisted active service or are otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed as he withdrew his claims. The Board has also remanded several issues including low back, right knee, left knee, cervical spine, OSA, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease as the evidence did not support a link to service or other conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. Additional development is needed.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been withdrawn and are dismissed.,Service connection is denied for a left hand disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient findings regarding the Veteran's mustard gas exposure and the relationship between his cause of death and service.

The Board has remanded the claim of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for hypertension, which is now considered secondary to service-connected MDD with PTSD, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, and/or migraines. The Veteran's hypertension claim is inextricably intertwined with his pending claims for service connection for back disorder and headaches.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding hypertension. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, but further examination is needed to determine if his hypertension disability is related to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of their appeal.,Service connection granted for tinnitus, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for prostate cancer and type II diabetes mellitus (DM) have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The effective date for a 10 percent evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's bladder condition, hypertension, erectile dysfunction (ED), headaches, and cause of death are all remanded for further development.

The Veteran's depressive disorder was granted an initial rating of 100 percent effective May 13, 2021.,A 70 percent rating for the Veteran's depressive disorder from May 29, 2012 to May 12, 2021 is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and maintain a substantially gainful occupation, effective December 7, 2016.