Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is related to service, and therefore grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for Type II Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension have been dismissed due to withdrawal. The remaining issues of PTSD, Erectile Dysfunction, Right Hip Disability, Left Hip Disability, Bilateral Retinopathy, and Lumbosacral Strain are remanded.

The Board has determined that the VA examiners' opinions are inadequate and remands the case for additional supplemental opinions to determine if the Veteran's hypertension and gout are due to or aggravated by his service-connected HIV and medications taken.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as presumptively associated with herbicide agent exposure under the PACT Act. The claim for service connection on a basis other than as pursuant to the PACT Act, to include as secondary to PTSD, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for hypertension due to potential exposure to burn pits and other toxins during military service, including while performing duties that earned him the Driver and Mechanic Badge. The PACT Act requires a TERA examination to determine if there is a nexus between the Veteran's hypertension and his toxic exposures.

The claim for service connection for left great toe ingrown toenail has been reopened and granted. The claims for general osteoarthritis, low back spina bifida, right hip disability, right hip shorter than left leg, right knee disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, left foot arthritis, chronic congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, thyroid disability, edema, and skin irritation have all been denied.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, cardiac disability, hypertension, bilateral neurological disabilities of the upper and lower extremities as there was no evidence that these conditions had their onset in service or were otherwise related to an injury or disease during active duty.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective September 27, 2014. His degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and hypertension are each rated at 30 percent, also effective September 27, 2014.

The Board has remanded the claims for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to potential errors in previous decisions regarding service connection. The VA is instructed to obtain additional medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions and their relationship to service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and bilateral shin splints due to insufficient evidence on direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the claim for hypertension due to service-connected disabilities, as the Veteran's 1992 retirement physical is missing from the record and contains pertinent blood pressure readings. The RO must make additional requests to obtain this missing separation/retirement examination report.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for high blood pressure, sleep apnea, cervical spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, pseudofolliculitis (now claimed as shaving profile), and upper extremity neurological condition. The claims are granted to the extent that they were not previously denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development of his military exposure and treatment records. The issues include hypertension, coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, kidney disease, and bilateral peripheral vascular disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including right ear hearing loss, hypertension, allergies, heart disability, liver disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include stress/emotional disorder, are remanded due to incomplete information regarding his military service. The AOJ is instructed to obtain clarification of the specific dates and character of the appellant's service, including his Military Master Pay Account (MMPA) with the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS).

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, and Parkinson's disease with hand tremor as these conditions are not related to the Veteran's active service or herbicide exposure.,There is no evidence of a current diagnosis of any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for PTSD is dismissed. Service connection for hypertension has been granted based on the PACT Act, but a remand is ordered to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of his hypertension and other conditions. The Veteran's sinus condition and prostate condition are also remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for a kidney disorder and remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremity, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions due to outstanding treatment records from his time in Germany. The AOJ must obtain these records and provide an explanation if they cannot be obtained.

The Veteran's hypertension, kidney cancer, heart disorder (coronary atherosclerosis, heart attack, coronary artery disease), peripheral artery disease, acquired psychiatric disorder (chemo brain), retinopathy, penile condition, and lung disorder have been granted service connection. The effective date for these grants is October 13, 2015.

The Veteran was previously employed but resigned due to service-connected disabilities, including back pain and ureteral stricture.,From January 1, 2017, onward, the combination of his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.