Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension due to herbicide exposure, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran served in Vietnam and is presumed exposed to herbicides.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to be related to his current diagnoses of OSA, hypertension, GERD, heart disease, and stroke. The Veteran's headaches are rated as 50% disabling throughout the appeal period.

The Board denied service connection for IBS and granted initial compensable ratings of at least 10 percent for sinusitis and hypertension. The claims for higher ratings for back lipoma, right and left periodic limb movement disorder, and hypertension were all denied.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes has been granted. The case is remanded for further development and rating actions.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for coronary artery disease from October 8, 2015 to June 5, 2019 was denied.,The Veteran's initial rating for hypertension was also denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a headache disability, sinus disability, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,The Board has found that there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease for any of these conditions. The Veteran asserts exposure to herbicide agents and/or ionizing radiation while serving in Okinawa, but the record does not support this claim.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and headaches due to additional development being needed. The Veteran will need updated VA treatment records, a VA examination for hypertension, and another VA examination for headaches.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities, particularly knee, back, shoulder, heart, TBI, and headache. Additional development is required including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for high blood pressure and a left leg disability due to incomplete records and the need for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it did not manifest in service and is not attributable to service. The Board also found that hypertension was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected cardiovascular disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is granted, while claims for allergic rhinitis, right eye condition, acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, back injury, left knee disability, and hypertension are denied.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as service-connected, with the condition believed to have onset during service and aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's death was caused by metastatic esophageal cancer, which is presumed to have originated during service due to herbicide exposure. Service connection for the cause of death and esophageal cancer has been granted.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected due to exposure to Agent Orange during his Vietnam service, effective August 10, 2022.

The Board has denied service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, associated kidney disability (claimed as secondary to DM II), hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea due to lack of evidence supporting an in-service onset or a causal relationship with the Veteran's service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, increased rating for LPRD and/or GERD/hiatal hernia, and TDIU due to inadequate VA examinations and development needs.

The appeal for service connection for right median sensorimotor neuropathy, diabetes mellitus, left and right shin splints, cataracts, deviated septum, depression, a right elbow disorder, and a heart disorder has been dismissed.,The claim for service connection for hypertension (secondary to PTSD) has been reopened due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The appeal is granted in part.,The claim for service connection for sleep apnea (secondary to PTSD) has been reopened due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The appeal is granted in part.,The claims for service connection for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis have been reopened due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The appeals are granted in part.

The Board has decided that an initial rating for scarring to suprapubic abdomen due to C-section is granted. The issue of service connection for hypertension, which was previously remanded, is now being sent back for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, higher ratings for his depressive disorder and diabetic nephropathy, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.