Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2022

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, right knee disorder, and right hip disorder due to new evidence submitted. However, these claims are remanded as further medical examination is needed to determine the cause of each condition.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for secondary pulmonary hypertension (HTN) due to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been denied. The evidence does not show that the HTN is a predominant disability, and the use of supplemental oxygen was within the scope of the existing criteria.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings in multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diastolic heart failure, hypertension, sleep apnea, a seizure disorder and a neurocognitive disorder are being remanded due to new theories of entitlement raised in his June 2022 brief. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claims.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, sleep apnea, hypertension, pes planus, and onychomycosis are all remanded for further development.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected due to exposure to herbicide agents during his Vietnam service.,His left forearm, shoulder, and back disabilities are not found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's hypertension was diagnosed within one year of his separation from service and is considered to be related to his active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities, PVD, ulcers, and hypertension as they are not related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a cardiovascular condition due to presumed exposure to herbicides. The new VA examination is required to address recent NAS reports on the association between hypertension and Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, urticaria, and bilateral foot fungus due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The claims are being returned for additional development including obtaining VA treatment records from 2010 onwards and a medical opinion regarding the relationship between these conditions and military service.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to the service-connected prostate cancer. The rating for residuals of prostate cancer is remanded, and the service connection for hypertension is also remanded due to lack of a VA medical opinion on herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and hypertension due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The VA must provide addendum opinions from a different examiner to determine if these conditions are caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and/or CAD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a TBI, cervicalgia with pinched nerve (secondary to TBI), back injury, degenerative joint disease of the left hip, and degenerative joint disease of the right hip have all been denied. The Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, onychomycosis, and hypertension claims are also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, lung disorder (claimed as collapsed lung), BPH, and TIA due to insufficient reasoning in previous decisions.

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for ischemic heart disease and hypertension due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension due to her service-connected conditions is remanded. The Veteran also has a claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder which is also being remanded.,A temporary total disability rating based on surgical or other treatment necessitating convalescence for the period from November 24, 2014, to November 30, 2014, was denied. The Veteran's claim for this benefit is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, asthma, COPD, gout, and right ankle disability due to further development being required.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding exposure to herbicide agents and ionizing radiation, as well as an inadequate medical opinion on whether any current liver disability is related to service. The VA will need to obtain additional treatment records, verify claimed exposures, and provide a new medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service in Thailand. The Veteran's current conditions are considered at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied for various conditions, including PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (including dementia), diabetes mellitus type II, prostate cancer, hypertension, a heart disorder (coronary artery disease, status post stent placement), a circulatory disorder, bilateral eye disorders (right eye blindness, double vision in the left eye, cataracts), lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, peripheral neuropathy of each extremity, radiculopathy of each extremity, and myelomalacia. The Board found that there was no evidence to support these claims.,The Veteran's service connection claims were denied for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (including dementia), diabetes mellitus type II, prostate cancer, hypertension, a heart disorder (coronary artery disease, status post stent placement), a circulatory disorder, bilateral eye disorders (right eye blindness, double vision in the left eye, cataracts), lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, peripheral neuropathy of each extremity, radiculopathy of each extremity, and myelomalacia.