Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's right eye conditions, including glaucoma and ocular hypertension. The case is being remanded for an addendum opinion from a VA clinician.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the service-connected disabilities granted in his December 2015 rating decision. The Board finds that a remand is necessary to verify the dates of active-duty service prior to September 23, 2014.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; right lung pulmonary fibrosis; restrictive lung diseases; skin cancer of the entire body; enlarged prostate with elevated PSAs; heart disability; erectile dysfunction; stroke; hypertension; left lower extremity peripheral vascular disease; right lower extremity peripheral vascular disease; left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy; right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy; left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy; right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy; sleep apnea; and loss of use of the right arm and hand due to lack of evidence regarding herbicide exposure in Korea prior to September 1, 1967.

The Veteran's hypertension is related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents. Service connection for the Veteran's hypertension is granted. The cases of diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease are remanded due to new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability, or causal relationship to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as he was able to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, even though his service-connected disabilities caused him some functional impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's stroke is caused or aggravated by his service-connected hypertension. The AOJ must obtain all relevant medical records and provide an appropriate VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides in Korea, specifically at Hammond Field. The claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension are being returned for further investigation.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as presumptively associated with presumed exposure to herbicide agents under the PACT Act. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities, secondary to diabetes mellitus, and for hypertension prior to the PACT Act are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and an eye disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression has been reopened and granted. The claim for hypertension remains denied, as does the claim for PTSD.

Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is granted.,Service connection for lipomas on the back is denied.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded.,Service connection for hypertension is remanded.,Service connection for lung condition is remanded.,An increased rating for PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings on several conditions have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The claim for service connection of hypertension has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's surviving spouse is seeking service connection for various disorders, including heart disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, kidney disorder, male reproductive organ disorder, and artery and vein disorder of all extremities. The claims are remanded due to the VA's failure to conduct additional follow-up on a previous request for records regarding herbicide/pesticide exposure during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or causal relationship to active service.,The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), requesting an addendum opinion from the VA physician.

The Board has remanded several claims, including service connection for various conditions and a higher disability rating for herniated nucleus pulposus. The Veteran is requesting additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

Service connection for hypertension is granted under the PACT Act due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to service-connected hypertension.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied because it is not causally related to service-connected schizophrenia.,Service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome and left carpal tunnel syndrome are denied due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU for the period from June 12, 2007 to January 9, 2019 due to his service-connected disabilities. The claim for an extraschedular TDIU prior to June 12, 2007 was denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension have been granted service connection on an accrued basis due to in-service herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's chronic kidney disease has also been granted service connection on an accrued basis as secondary to his diabetes mellitus, type II.