Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at a minimum of 10 percent, and his residuals of stroke are found to be secondary to his service-connected hypertension. The Board has granted both claims.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted with an effective date of August 12, 2020.,A rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and lumbosacral strain, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment on and prior to January 11, 2023. Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 was also established.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for abdominal aortic aneurysm and hypertension have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for either condition.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, skin cancer (melanoma and basal cell carcinoma), chloracne, right shoulder disability, and left shoulder disability. The reduction from a 10% rating to a non-compensable rating for hypertension was upheld.

The Veteran's claim for PCAFC benefits was denied because he did not meet the threshold requirement of having a 'serious injury' incurred or aggravated in service, as his only service-connected condition is hypertension rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's death was caused by interstitial lung disease, but hypertension is considered a contributory cause. The Board finds the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents in service and grants service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, chronic, is granted as service-connected. Bilateral hearing loss and residuals of jaw fracture are denied. Hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded for further examination and opinion regarding their relationship to service.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for hypertension was denied, and the Board has remanded the case to develop further information regarding his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's hypertension is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure. The issue of service connection for hypertension on a direct and secondary service connection basis is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional development. The issues include obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, nocturnal bruxism, and a right knee condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to determine if his service-connected disabilities meet the criteria for specially adapted housing benefits due to anatomical loss or use of a lower extremity.

The Veteran's claims for prostate hypertrophy, gastrointestinal disorder, kidney stones, skin disorders, pseudogout, anemia, osteoarthritis, lumbar spine disorder, RLE sciatica, LLE sciatica, and erectile dysfunction have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals. Service connection has been granted for coronary artery disease and hypertension on a presumptive basis due to exposure in Guam or its territorial waters from January 9, 1962, through July 31, 1980.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's headaches are caused or aggravated by his service-connected hypertension.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration of service connection for hypertension, including whether it is related to obesity which may be aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, as the evidence does not show that it had its onset during active duty or within one year of discharge and is not otherwise shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, right foot disability, left foot disability, and erectile dysfunction have been denied. The claim for hypertension is being remanded for further development.,For the issues of entitlement to service connection for a right foot disability, left foot disability, and erectile dysfunction, as well as hypertension, the Board finds that additional evidence or examination may be needed to determine if these conditions are related to active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of more than 10 percent for hypertension from April 9, 2019 is granted. His claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to his hypertension is also granted.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for hypertension, diabetes, and kidney condition due to a lack of examination and etiology opinions. The case is sent back for further development including obtaining treatment records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension, both of which are found to have begun during periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA). The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is not considered service-connected.,Eligibility for nonservice-connected pension benefits from May 22, 2015 based on permanent and total disability has been granted.