Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension. The back disability is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left total knee replacement and right foot metatarsalgia with pes planus. Erectile dysfunction is also secondary to his service-connected disabilities. However, hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension and a right kidney disorder due to inadequate medical opinions regarding exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran's hypertension is being reviewed again, as it may be related to his service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's heart disability, including hypertension and cardiomyopathy, is related to service, specifically presumed herbicide exposure. The examiner must also assess whether the disability is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his service at U-Tapao Air Force Base is presumed. Diabetes mellitus is linked to active duty service due to Agent Orange exposure, while hypertension is secondary to the now-service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings on all issues due to untimely filing of substantive appeals.

The Veteran's hypertension is remanded for further examination and opinion. The issues of service connection for ischemic heart disease with chronic congestive heart failure, status post triple bypass surgery (also claimed as coronary artery disease and hypertensive heart disease) and post-operative scars are also remanded due to their direct relationship to the hypertension issue.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed as she has withdrawn her appeal.

The appeal for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The issue of hypertension, related to service-connected conditions, is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and she is granted TDIU. The Veteran also meets the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for CML, erectile dysfunction as secondary to CML, bilateral hip arthritis, and hypertension. The Veteran's eye disorder was not found related to his hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to in-service exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange. The claim for service connection for cerebrovascular accident (stroke) is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, left and right foot conditions, right leg condition, hypertension secondary to OSA, and a tooth disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has found that the appellant's hearing loss disability is not more severe for compensation purposes during the period on appeal than demonstrated on the audiological evaluations discussed above.,VA has failed to obtain the appellant's service treatment records and has determined that further attempts to obtain them would be futile.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a heart condition due to incomplete records and insufficient examination opinions. Further development is needed, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 22, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right ankle disability, hypertension, disability of the lower extremities (including restless leg syndrome and leg cramps), obstructive sleep apnea, and acquired psychiatric disability (including depression and PTSD) due to incomplete medical records and uncorroborated in-service stressors.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension effective August 10, 2022, under the PACT Act presumption of herbicide exposure. The issue of entitlement to service connection prior to this date remains unresolved.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and hypertension, finding that these conditions are not proximately due to or permanently worsened by his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension (high blood pressure), and thyroid condition due to incomplete development of records from Reynolds Army Community Hospital and Balboa Navy Medical Center.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's pre-service ocular hypertension was aggravated by his service-connected pars planitis.