Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand the claims for hypertension, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to procedural issues with the Notice of Disagreement form.

The Board is remanding several claims due to incomplete development and the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current heart conditions, including CAD (congestive heart failure), and his active service at Camp LeJeune. The issues of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, hiatal hernia, coronary artery bypass, arteriosclerotic heart disease, gout, GERD, high blood pressure, and diabetes mellitus type II are also remanded as they rely on the outcome of the congestive heart failure claim.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it had its onset during active duty service and resolving all doubts in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU from September 28, 2012 is dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issue of entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to September 28, 2012.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and cervical spine disorder due to insufficient opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to service or secondary to other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and referral to the Director, Compensation Service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service-connected PTSD and whether it manifested within one year of separation from active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a seizure condition and hypertension. The issues are being remanded due to insufficient reasoning in the previous decisions, specifically regarding whether the Veteran's headaches are evidence of his seizures.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete development and requests for additional medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to ischemic heart disease, coronary artery disease, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and lung cancer caused by exposure to herbicide agents during service in Thailand. The claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is dismissed as moot since service connection has been granted. Service-connected burial benefits are also granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and a stroke, including as due to in-service herbicide agent exposure. The issues are intertwined with each other.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability during or proximate to the appeal period.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea/disturbances is remanded due to insufficient medical evidence showing a current disability at any time during or proximate to the appeal period. The claim for acquired psychiatric disorder (insomnia) and hypertension are also remanded as they may be related to the Veteran's service-connected myocardial infarction.

The Veteran's appeal for hypertension was dismissed. The eye disorder claim was denied, but the heart disorder claim was granted and reopened based on new evidence. The thoracolumbar spine disability and associated neurological abnormalities were also granted and reopened. The left ear hearing loss claim was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for service connection.,Service connection was denied for chronic fatigue syndrome, hypertension, cataracts, kidney stones, diabetes adult onset, peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, GERD, renal disease, and arthritis.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date has been withdrawn.,New evidence has been submitted to reopen the service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea, but further review is needed before a decision can be made.,The Veteran's service connection claim for hypertension remains pending and requires additional development.,The Veteran's service connection claim for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) remains pending and requires additional development.,The Veteran's service connection claim for a neck disability remains pending and requires additional development.,The Veteran's service connection claim for traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains pending and requires additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, left hip condition, and right hip condition due to lack of compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran refused a VA examination in New York but requested an appointment closer to his location in New Jersey.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and obstructive sleep apnea, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension, finding that her diastolic pressure readings were predominantly less than 110 and systolic pressure readings were predominantly less than 200.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, kidney failure, diabetes mellitus, type II, and prostate cancer due to potential service connection based on herbicide exposure. The case requires further development including obtaining personnel records and determining if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for depression and hypertension, finding no evidence of a current acquired psychiatric disorder or symptoms during or proximate to his claim.