Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that additional evidence needs to be considered and the claims are being remanded for further review.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 28, 1993.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is granted due to the PACT Act. The claims for diabetes mellitus and heart condition are remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the diabetes claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been granted under the PACT Act, but an effective date prior to August 10, 2022 is not established due to lack of evidence.

The Veteran's left knee disability, along with other service-connected conditions, is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board denied a higher rating for the left knee disability and granted a TDIU effective October 7, 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for the cause of his death and for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318, finding that none of his service-connected disabilities were a principal or contributory cause of his death.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as due to herbicide agent exposure under the PACT Act, but service connection cannot be established on a direct or secondary basis.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, a right wrist disability, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. The claim of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder is remanded. Service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a colon disorder, including colonic polyps, has been denied as there is no current disability.,Service connection for hypertension was granted based on the PACT Act effective from August 10, 2022.

The Board has found that the Veteran's hypertension, constipation, and urinary incontinence/bladder overactivity disorder are service-connected. However, several issues related to her cervical spine disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and higher initial ratings for these conditions have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has found the VA examinations inadequate and remanded for further development regarding service connection for hypertension and a bilateral foot disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and because of a need for an opinion regarding the impact of toxic exposure risk activities (TERA).

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for bilateral eye disability, back disability, and cervical spine disability due to inadequate VA opinions in previous decisions. The claims will be reviewed again with new addendum opinions addressing causation and aggravation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder condition and hypertension, both of which are related to injuries sustained during periods of active duty for training.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted under the PACT Act. Service connection for a lung disorder, skin disorder, and sinus disorder are denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various conditions, including left shoulder disability, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, left ankle, migraines, and left elbow disabilities have been denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen these claims.,Service connection for hypertension was also denied as the evidence did not support a link between the condition and service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, erectile dysfunction, prostate disability, diabetes mellitus, skin disability, and bilateral eye disability. The remand includes verifying herbicide agent exposure in Panama, obtaining VA treatment records, and providing an opinion on whether any hypertension is aggravated by a service-connected anxiety disorder.

Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus as secondary to in-service exposure to herbicide agents is granted.,Service connection for hypertension under the PACT Act is granted.,Service connection for a kidney disability as secondary to service-connected type II diabetes mellitus is granted.,Service connection for residuals of strokes, including as secondary to in-service exposure to herbicide agents and service-connected type II diabetes mellitus and hypertension, is remanded.,Service connection for seizure disorder, including as secondary to in-service exposure to herbicide agents and service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a right-hand disability, finding that the Veteran's current osteoarthritis is not related to his active service or service-connected seizure disorder. The claim was also denied for hypertension, as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis.,There is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for either condition.