Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's hypertension is due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam. Service connection for this condition is granted under the PACT Act.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for hypertension as a full grant of benefits was already awarded. The application to reopen the skin disorder claim, including melanoma, is granted and remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to newly submitted evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a heart condition and secondary service connection for hypertension due to inadquate reasoning provided by the VA examiner.

The Veteran's lung cancer and kidney cancer claims were reopened due to new evidence submitted.,Service connection for renal cell carcinoma is granted based on herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's bronchial asthma was granted a 100% rating from January 17, 2012 to August 8, 2022. The other issues remain pending and will be remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities for further development, including obtaining an examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinion regarding service connection for hypertension. The Veteran's lay statements of continuity and a private medical opinion are considered, but further examination is needed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and whether it is related to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension has not met the criteria for a higher disability rating, as there are no instances of diastolic pressure being predominantly 110 or more. The current rating of 10 percent remains unchanged.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for hypertension is remanded due to the failure to conduct an in-person VA examination as per the July 2022 Board directive.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has found that a higher rating is not warranted.,Service connection for hypertension and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are remanded due to procedural issues.

The Board has denied service connection for hypothyroidism and remanded the issues of hypertension and a respiratory disability other than allergic rhinitis. The case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's heart disorder, skin disorder on feet, enlarged prostate, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and sinus disorder were not found to be related to service.,Service connection was denied for all conditions except the Veteran's right upper extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), which were remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's death was related to his active duty service, specifically focusing on the in-service complaints of chest pain and hospitalizations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's obesity and her claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were granted service connection. The left ankle disability, hypertension, bilateral foot disability, respiratory disorder, and bilateral eye disorder claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, respiratory disability, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiological disability (coronary artery disease), kidney disability (chronic kidney disease), bilateral eye disability, and stomach disability (GERD). The claims are being remanded to verify the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents at Fort Polk.

The appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to October 12, 2010 and a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter is dismissed. The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective from October 31, 2008.

The Board has remanded the claims for COPD and hypertension due to outstanding private treatment records. The claims will be reviewed again after obtaining these records.