Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as presumptive due to exposure to herbicide agents under the PACT Act. The issue of service connection for residuals of a stroke, secondary to hypertension, is remanded.,Service connection for hypertension will be determined based on evidence showing it was related to active service and/or aggravated by PTSD. Service connection for residuals of a stroke will also be evaluated in light of whether they are related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded all service connection claims due to the submission of additional VA treatment records and examinations. The Veteran's claims for various conditions are being reviewed again.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and increased ratings for his bilateral shoulder disabilities as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of hypertension or limitation of motion in either shoulder that meets the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service connected due to herbicide agent exposure in Thailand, but the claim for prior to the PACT Act grant is remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted under the PACT Act.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, and bilateral upper and lower extremity neuropathy are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and separate ratings were denied. The claim for service connection was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist, tinnitus, and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) have been denied as there is no current diagnosis or evidence linking these conditions to his service.,The Veteran's claim for degenerative arthritis of the left knee has been remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its relationship to his service-connected right knee sprain. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension remains in a similar state.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that it is not related to service or a service-connected disability. The claim was reopened due to new evidence showing the Veteran's current diagnosis of hypertension.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension. However, the issue remains remanded as new evidence submitted by the Veteran suggests a potential causal relationship between his hypertension and his service-connected heart conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and multiple joint disabilities, do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) prior to June 9, 2009, or since October 2, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD is granted. The claim for service connection for hypertension is remanded due to incomplete evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial compensable rating for a right knee disability, service connection for hypertension, and service connection for a right ankle disability, lumbar spine disability, bilateral foot disability (pes planus), and cervical spine disability due to inadequate examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for Dupuytren's contracture of the right little finger was denied as his current condition does not meet the criteria for any higher rating.,Service connection for hypertension on a direct basis was also denied, with the Board finding that there is no evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions were dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for colon cancer is being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the relationship between his in-service herbicide exposure and his current condition.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for throat conditions, including GERD, Zenker's diverticulum, history of Barrett's esophagus, mild functional pharyngeal dysphagia, and gastritis, is being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the relationship between his in-service herbicide exposure and his current condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, granted under the PACT Act, is now considered valid.,New and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for cardiovascular disease. The claim remains pending as it was previously denied in February 2016.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, right lower extremity, left upper extremity, and left lower extremity is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes has been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran during his July 2022 hearing.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal of whether a substantive appeal was timely filed in response to a February 2017 statement of the case, finding that the appeal was untimely due to the failure to file within the required 60-day period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to verify his service in the Ohio Air National Guard and determine if any periods of deployment were federal service. The claims for service connection will be reconsidered after this verification.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's high cholesterol is not a disability for which service connection can be granted. The remaining issues have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance or housebound status is denied because he does not meet the criteria for either SMC rate.