Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Board denied service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, OSA, and headache disorder. Service connection was also denied for DM and HTN as they were not shown in service or within one year of separation.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right hand disorder, left hand disorder, and hypertension due to new evidence received since the last supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's pulmonary emboli, hypertension, stroke residuals, bilateral upper and lower extremity neurologic symptomatology, unspecified neurodegenerative disease, and right shoulder disorder are being remanded for further review due to potential exposure under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and development of records. The issues include hypertension, right leg disorder, left leg disorder, left ankle disorder, left hip/groin disorder, lumbar spine disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right foot disorder, and left foot disorder.

The Board has determined that the procedural course of the Veteran's appeal is at issue and remands the case for further action, including issuance of a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and hypertension were not rated higher than the current noncompensable ratings, as there was no evidence of severe impairment or need for surgical treatment.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of a stroke is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service incurrence.,The Veteran's claim for headaches is granted as his current diagnosis is related to his service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The issues of service connection for erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and acid reflux are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as presumptively related to herbicide exposure during service.,Left leg and neck carotid artery disease are not presumed or directly linked to service, but the appeal is granted due to the PACT Act which now includes this condition in the list of diseases presumptively associated with herbicide exposure.,Cerebral vascular accident (stroke) is not presumed or directly linked to service, and the appeal is denied.

The Board denied a compensable disability rating for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's blood pressure readings did not consistently meet the criteria for a higher rating under DC 7101.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development regarding his periods of active duty training and inactive duty training. The VA examinations are needed to address the nature and etiology of any sinus/allergy disability, ear disability (manifested by discharge and recurrent cerumen impactions), heart disability, and hypertension.

Service connection for ischemic heart disease and hypertension is granted. The Veteran's CVA and hypertension from October 17, 2012 to August 9, 2022 are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination for the sinus/rhinitis disorder. The PTSD rating issue is also being remanded to address recent mental health treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding it at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the causes of death and whether the Veteran's pancreatic cancer was related to his service. The AOJ is instructed to obtain a VA medical opinion on these issues.

The Board dismissed all service connection claims for various conditions, including shoulder disorders, spine disorders, peripheral neuropathies, and psychiatric disorders, due to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The decision is based on the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, prostate disability, and peripheral neuropathy due to toxic exposure. The Veteran's diabetes is not related to military service, according to a recent opinion.

Service connection for hypertension is granted. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for gout, left foot and hypertension. The issues of increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine; osteoarthritis of the right hip with painful limitation of extension; osteoarthritis of the left hip with limitation of flexion of the thigh; and osteoarthritis of the left hip with impairment of the thigh are also remanded.