Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension and a skin disorder, as they are related to diabetes mellitus type II. The Veteran's representative requested new VA examinations and opinions regarding these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the physical loss or permanent loss of use of at least one hand or foot, nor does he have ankylosis of either hip. Therefore, he is ineligible for financial assistance in purchasing a vehicle with adaptive equipment.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions obtained in connection with the prior remand directives are inadequate and requires further development to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, service-connected conditions, and herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type 2 as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and cognitive disorder, left knee disability, bronchiolitis obliterans, hypertension, and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of these disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's hypertension is etiologically related to his active service. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's cause of death, which was probable cardiac arrest with an underlying cause of chronic hypertension, is not service-connected as the evidence does not show a link to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, colon disability, bladder disability, and prostate disability, all of which are presumed to be related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or to CLCW exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and thyroid condition are remanded due to the need for a VA examination, given the National Academy of Medicine's update on herbicide exposure and its association with these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were reopened due to new evidence, but the claims for DM, hypertension, arthritis, bilateral eye condition, ED, and kidney disorder were all denied. Headaches were found to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for kidney disability, hypertension, back disability, and neck disability due to inadequate examinations and opinions. The cases are now pending for further development.

The Veteran's back disability, sleep apnea, hypertension, and GERD have been granted service connection. The Veteran is now rated at 30% for his GERD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is related to his exposure to herbicide agents during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, mood depressive disorder, erectile dysfunction, asthma, and bilateral leg cramps due to new and material evidence. The claims are remanded for further development including obtaining VA treatment records, arranging for medical examinations, and determining the etiology of each condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, specifically addressing whether it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected right elbow and back disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and congestive heart failure due to insufficient evidence addressing whether these conditions are secondary to his service-connected back disability. The Veteran is advised to provide additional medical opinions from his private physician or a VA clinician.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations requested in January 2019 have not been conducted and therefore, these issues are being remanded for further action.

The Board has denied service connection for bladder mass, skin cancer, and hypertension due to herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran's claim for hypertension is remanded as there is sufficient evidence of a positive association between hypertension and herbicide agents used during the Vietnam War.

The Veteran's application to reopen a previously denied service connection claim for PTSD was received on December 19, 2017. The Board denied the claim in January 2015 and found that there is no presumption of 'secondary exposure' based on being near or handling equipment once used in Vietnam.,Evidence submitted since the January 2015 decision does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim for diabetes mellitus type II. The Veteran's contentions regarding his alleged exposure to Agent Orange are identical to those previously addressed by the Board.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied as it did not have its onset during service or be otherwise etiologically related to service.,The Veteran's hypertension, which was granted secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder, is granted.