Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed.,A rating of 10 percent, and no higher, has been granted for degenerative arthritis of the right fifth finger.,Service connection for hypertension has been established.,Service connection for residuals of status post bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome release has been established.,Service connection for migraine headaches has been established.,Service connection for a disability of the ear manifested by dizziness (including vertigo and peripheral vestibular disorder (PVD)) as secondary to service-connected rhinitis has been established.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, has not been established.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to alleged herbicide agent exposure while serving on the U.S.S. Forrestal, and also for TDIU as these issues are intertwined with the service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to insufficient development of evidence regarding the Veteran's functional impairment from his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, valvular heart disease, and a heart valve replacement are granted. The case is remanded to obtain VA treatment records and schedule the Veteran for an examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected ischemic heart disease.

The Board has remanded the appeal of service connection claims for sleep apnea, a headache disorder, hypertension, a sinus disorder, and a respiratory disorder due to unclear opinions regarding their onset in service.

The Veteran's hypertension is presumed to have been caused by in-service exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange) in the Republic of Vietnam. Service connection for hypertension is granted pursuant to the PACT Act.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension, ED, and SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ due to unclear exposure history. The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease remains denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of service connection for hypothyroidism, a heart condition, hypertension (claimed as high blood pressure), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus prior to the Board's decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to February 3, 2019, finding that he was capable of securing and following substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's death was caused by a type of brain cancer that is presumed to be linked to his military service in Southwest Asia, specifically exposure to burn pits. As such, the claim for DIC benefits based on cause of death due to service-connected disability is granted.

The Veteran's service connection for cirrhosis of the liver and hypertension is granted, with hypertension being granted due to herbicide exposure under the PACT Act. The issue of service connection for hypertension prior to the enactment of the PACT Act remains on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder and therefore denied service connection for this condition. The issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for asbestos related pleural disease, hypertension (secondary to asbestos related pleural disease), and chronic kidney disease (secondary to hypertension) due to incomplete development and lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is granted under the PACT Act, but service connection for hypertension on a direct basis remains pending and requires further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's prescribed Quetiapine, used to treat his service-connected PTSD, caused him to fall and subsequently fracture his hip, leading to his death. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss disability were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and other issues are remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and hair loss claims are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.,The Veteran's OSA claim is remanded as the examiner failed to consider her prior sleep disturbances.,The Veteran's hypertension claim is remanded because the examiner did not provide a rationale for denying secondary service connection.,The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder claim is remanded due to insufficient consideration of medical literature cited by the Veteran’s representative.,The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus claims are remanded as the examination results were inconsistent and the examiner failed to address relevant medical literature.,The Veteran's dizziness claim is remanded because the examiner did not consider whether her dizziness was a symptom of her service-connected headache disability or a separate disorder.,The Veteran's cervical spine, left hand, bilateral shoulder, hip, knee, and foot disabilities claims are all remanded due to inadequate examination reports that failed to address relevant medical literature and symptoms.

The Veteran's cause of death, acute myocardial infarction due to chronic kidney failure on hemodialysis, was not service-connected. The Board found no evidence linking the heart or kidney issues to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and stroke residuals due to inadequate development, including failure to address his in-service exposures. The case is being returned for further development.