Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2022

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there is insufficient evidence to establish a direct relationship between his current condition and his military service or any service-connected disabilities. The Board also found no secondary service connection as the medications used to treat his service-connected conditions do not cause his hypertension.

The Veteran's asthma, hypertension, and sleep apnea are being remanded for further examination and opinion as the VA examiner did not consider whether these conditions may be related to herbicide exposure or service-connected disabilities.,The Board is requesting additional medical records and a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's diagnosed conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, impaired fasting glucose, high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia), sleep apnea, left hernia, and left groin pain have not been shown to be related to service.,Specifically, the evidence does not establish that these conditions began during or were otherwise caused by active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to conflicting medical evidence and the need for additional opinions. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, coronary artery disease, hypertension, left hand swelling, right hand swelling, and scars are all under review.

The Board has granted service connection for Bell's palsy, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing condition was aggravated by his active duty. Service connection for hypertension is remanded due to insufficient evidence in the current record.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and disabilities have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn all items on appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues except facial scars have been dismissed due to withdrawal. The appeal for reopening/reconsideration of facial scars is pending.

The Veteran's service connection claims for pneumonia, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease are granted. Pneumonia is denied due to lack of current residuals. Hypertension is granted based on a finding that symptoms were present during service and continued after service. Chronic kidney disease is granted as secondary to hypertension.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for hypertension and sleep apnea due to incomplete development regarding qualifications of VA examiners who have evaluated these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and hypertension (HTN), finding new and material evidence to reopen the claims. The lumbar spine disability is considered directly related to service, while hypertension is found to be secondary to diabetes with obesity as an intermediate step.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right knee disorders, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. The case is being remanded to provide a VA examination and medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases due to increased symptomatology and new evidence, requiring further examination for both lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for neck disability and hypertension due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed again, including obtaining additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between his disabilities and military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of his diabetes mellitus and hip disabilities, as well as the intermediary step theory of service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, rosacea/actinic keratosis, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities. The decision found that new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a left wrist disability and hypertension due to inadequate etiology opinions. The Veteran's lay statements regarding symptom onset and persistence must be considered, and further clarification is needed on the date of diagnosis for hypertension.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea, but the issues of headaches, hypertension, sinus disability (allergic rhinitis), and asthma are being remanded due to inextricably intertwined nature with the primary issue.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding various disability ratings and compensation claims, including for bilateral pes planus, knee disabilities, low back issues, hypertension, hand disabilities, prostatitis, and inguinal hernia repair. The Board dismissed these appeals as a result.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected PTSD. The issues of service connection for hypertension and gastrointestinal disorder (GERD) are remanded pending completion of additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for hypertension due to a lack of an adequate discussion of a March 1990 blood pressure reading in the April 2022 opinion. The case is now pending for further development and an additional medical opinion.