Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for asthma, left ventricular hypertrophy, and hypertension have been denied. The VA has determined that the current levels of disability do not warrant higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a dermatological disorder, hypertension, and lung disorder due to incomplete private medical records. The appellant is required to provide any authorized treatment records from Holy Cross Hospital, Dr. C.L.K., and Dr. T.R.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and right hip disability to obtain additional medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is presumed to be related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and OSA as there is insufficient evidence to resolve these issues. The Veteran's service records do not show any diagnosis or treatment for hypertension, but his wife reported high blood pressure upon entrance. For OSA, the Veteran contends symptoms began during service and continued after separation. The VA examiners' opinions are conflicting on whether the conditions pre-existed service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hypertension may be related to his service-connected psychiatric disability, but needs further examination and opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, Hypertension, and Thyroid Disorder due to additional development needed. The issues of service connection are related as they involve overlapping conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is rated at 20 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's diabetic sensory peripheral neuropathy (PN) of the lower extremities is currently rated at 40 percent each for the right and left legs. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to lack of marked muscular atrophy.

The Board denied service connection for prostate disability, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension as there was no evidence of a nexus to service or within the first post-service year.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, but the issue of service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for abdominal aneurism was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the Board found that his abdominal aneurism did not have its onset in, or is otherwise related to service including as a result of presumed exposure to herbicide agents.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for high blood pressure as a result of exposure to herbicide agents was remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the pre-existing condition may have been aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left hamstring disorder, and seizure disorder have been dismissed. The claim for hypertension has been granted with a current rating of 100 percent from July 31, 2016. The issue of an initial rating higher than 10 percent for right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, rheumatic arthritis, and back disability due to insufficient development. The Veteran must provide additional evidence or undergo further examination.

The Veteran's diabetes and hypertension are service-connected because they were caused by weight gain due to their service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, gout, renal failure, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient competent medical evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to a failure to schedule VA examinations as directed in previous remands. The Veteran is advised that if a VA examination is scheduled, a failure to report may result in denial of his claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and service. The Veteran is still seeking service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to improper handling of his appeal in the legacy system.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer and chronic kidney disease with hypertension, are severe enough to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. Therefore, the Board has granted a TDIU (Total Disability Rating for Compensation Purposes Based on Individual Unemployability). Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits is also established.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service records are incomplete and has ordered VA to obtain his treatment records from 1952 onwards. The claims for service connection remain pending as a result of this remand.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for nasal bones with deviation to the right was denied. The Board found that the current condition did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 10 percent.,The claim of service connection for hypertensive heart disease with congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathy was previously denied in May 2013, but new evidence received since then does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim. The Board did not reopen this claim as it found no material evidence.,The claim of service connection for hypertension was previously denied in February 2013 and reopened due to new evidence showing recent VA treatment, but the new evidence did not show that the condition was related to service or manifested within one year of discharge. The Board denied reopening this claim as well.,The claim of service connection for a neck disability was previously denied in May 2012 and reopened due to new evidence showing recent VA treatment, but the new evidence did not show that the condition was related to service or manifested within one year of discharge. The Board denied reopening this claim as well.