Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Orange, during his military service. The Board found that the evidence supports a direct relationship between his service and his condition.

The Veteran's claims for Parkinson's disease, hypertension, prostate cancer, and loss of teeth are denied as they do not meet the criteria for service connection. The heart disorder claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's hypertension, sleep apnea, hearing loss, and spondylosis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are all rated as they were originally. The issue of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee is remanded due to new evidence submitted since the last denial.

The Board denied service connection for heart disability, hypertension, and residuals of a gunshot wound to the left trunk due to lack of evidence showing in-service incurrence or relationship to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment during the period on appeal, warranting a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran was granted initial compensable ratings for hypertension and pseudofolliculitis barbae, but denied an increased rating for right knee disability. The right knee disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling prior to November 4, 2022, and the appeal remains on hold due to a remand.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a right knee fragmentation wound scar is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's current diagnosis of a right knee scar is related to his active military service, specifically an in-service shrapnel wound during his tour in Vietnam. For other issues, including increased ratings for various disabilities and renal insufficiency prior to December 14, 2020, the decision remains pending as these are not final decisions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, recurrent skin disability to include dermatitis and eczema, hypertension, and a recurrent disability manifested by weight loss are all denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or other presumptive conditions. The diagnoses were not shown during active service or within many years thereafter.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depressive disorder). The remaining issues are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a back disability, hypertension, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction due to ambiguities in medical opinions and inconsistencies with prior examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claim for Type II diabetes mellitus is granted. The claims for right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as hypertension are remanded due to the need for further examination and evidence collection.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, sleep apnea, carpal tunnel syndromes, sebaceous cyst, left hand joint pain, gallstones, and knee, shoulder, elbow, and wrist disorders. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's military service or exposure to burn pits.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, chronic otitis externa (claimed as right ear), and sinus condition. The Veteran's left knee disability is being remanded for further development.,Service connection was not granted for the Veteran's claimed conditions due to lack of evidence supporting a nexus between his current disabilities and service.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and granted secondary service connection for migraines as a result of the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The Veteran's service treatment records are sought, as well as an addendum opinion regarding his back disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for hypertension before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for plantar warts of the left foot and service connection for plantar warts of the right foot are remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus and left foot strain is remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for abnormal blood pressure, including hypertension is remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hand carpel tunnel syndrome is remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a qualifying chronic disability or other basis for service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded issues related to heart conditions, acquired psychiatric disorders (including depression), hypertension, and sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the Appellant's appeal was timely filed and remanded for further development on issues of service connection for mental health condition, hypertension, migraine headaches, neck condition, radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities, sleep apnea, and a bilateral knee condition. The TDIU issue is also being remanded.