Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and etiology of the Veteran's heart disabilities, including whether they are related to his service in South West Asia. Additional medical opinions are needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability was not reopened, and the appeal is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a 20 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss is also denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction have been granted. The conditions are found to be due to or aggravated by the service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's anxiety and service connection for hypertension (claimed as high blood pressure) are granted. The restoration of evaluations for various knee conditions, including trochanteric bursitis and patellofemoral arthritis, is also granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, erectile dysfunction (secondary to hypertension), and special monthly compensation based on loss of use are granted. The issues related to service connection for these conditions are resolved under the provisions of the PACT Act.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including those related to insomnia disorder, erectile dysfunction, chronic fatigue syndrome, blackout spells, DDD of the cervical spine, pinched nerve as secondary to DDD of the cervical spine, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and right shoulder disability. The Veteran's hypertension claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for his hypertension, bilateral ankle disorders, breathing problems, sleep condition, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and acquired psychiatric conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, effective immediately upon receipt by VA.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension due to herbicide agent exposure is granted. The other issues are remanded and will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension due to insufficient consideration of whether obesity is an intermediate step in a causal chain for these conditions, as well as the Veteran's submitted medical articles.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left ankle sprain, right and left knee disabilities, lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, and hypertension. The Veteran is required to provide VA with his private treatment records for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for PTSD, right wrist disability, left foot disability, and hypertension due to new evidence received since the June 2019 statement of the case.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy/nerve damage, and hypertension due to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune. The reasons include inadequate rationale in previous opinions regarding delayed onset of these conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, and he was granted a TDIU effective from December 27, 2018 to January 7, 2021. The Board referred the claim for a TDIU prior to December 27, 2018, to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction as secondary to a service-connected neurocognitive disorder due to a traumatic brain injury.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (likely PTSD), a right foot disability, coronary artery disease, and diabetes mellitus type II due to incomplete development. The RO must complete the directives set forth in the July 2022 Board remand.

The Board has decided that additional development is necessary to determine if the Veteran was exposed to chemical or biological agents in service, which could impact her claims for various conditions. The case is being remanded for further investigation.

Service connection for hypertension is granted due to the PACT Act presumption of herbicide exposure. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded as there are conflicting opinions and additional evidence needs to be considered.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted a 10 percent rating, but no higher, from November 12, 2015.,Service connection for osteopenia is granted as it is proximately due to the service-connected removal of uterus and both ovaries.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted.,Service connection for insomnia is granted.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional examinations and opinions regarding the Veteran's stomach disability, esophageal conditions (including GERD), and hypertension. The issues of service connection are being addressed due to potential exposure to nerve agents during service.