Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded several claims of service connection due to the need for additional records from the Dallas VAMC, which may be relevant to these cases.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with its December 2022 remand directives and thus the claims for thoracolumbar spondylosis, onychomycosis (claimed as toe fungus), xeroderma of the bilateral feet, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), hypertension, and migraines are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus type II. The claim for gastroesophageal reflux disease is remanded, and the claim for a low back disability is also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, seizure disorder, TBI, and neurocognitive disorder.,Service connection was not established for any of the claimed conditions as there was no evidence linking them to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to SMC at the housebound rate, right and left knee disabilities for extraschedular consideration. The Veteran's service-connected conditions include major depressive disorder, cervical spine disability, total knee replacements on both knees, gout in multiple joints, and other musculoskeletal conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for medical opinions. The issues include left wrist, forearm, eye disabilities, hypertension, CAD, and cerebrovascular accident.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his condition. The appeal will be readjudicated after these steps are completed.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, thoracic spine disability, right lower extremity neuropathy, and migraine headaches due to incomplete development of records.

The Veteran's deviated septum is not service-connected as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.,Service connection for HTN is granted based on the PACT Act due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.,The Veteran has a skin condition (basal cell carcinoma, actinic keratoses, seborrheic keratoses) that may be service-connected as it was diagnosed during his period of active duty.,Service connection for mechanical low back pain is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset or relationship to service.,Service connection for coccyx strain is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset or relationship to service.,Service connection for left knee disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset or relationship to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of the Veteran's death. A VA opinion is needed to determine if a service-related condition contributed to his death.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to obtain all outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as to provide an adequate advisory medical opinion regarding the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities. The claims for service connection are being remanded due to unresolved medical questions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, squamous cell carcinoma, diabetes mellitus type 2, bladder cancer, sleep apnea, prostate cancer, and coronary artery disease, due to exposure to herbicides. The remand includes verifying Agent Orange exposure and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and whether his hypertension was related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type II due to open medical questions. The Veteran contends that his service-connected sleep apnea and depressive disorder caused him to develop obesity, which in turn caused hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus type II and neuropathy of the extremities, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from January 11, 2019 to September 18, 2019. Prior to this period, his diabetes alone did not prevent him from securing and following such employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete information regarding his exposure to radiation and toxic substances. The Veteran is required to provide authorization forms for medical records, complete necessary development, and undergo a TERA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type 2, and hypertension are granted. Service connection is also granted on a presumptive basis under the PACT Act for hypertension.,Service connection for high cholesterol is denied as it is not a disability for VA purposes.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient rationale provided in previous VA opinions and because of a potential TERA exposure under the PACT Act. Additional development is needed, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, skin disorder, and GERD. However, these claims are still remanded as new VA examinations are needed to determine their etiology.

Service connection is granted for left hand arthritis and right hand arthritis.,Service connection is denied for hypertension, claimed as high blood pressure.