Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, cardiovascular disability, renal disorder, colon cancer, and a disorder resulting from a strain of the herpes virus. The AOJ is directed to obtain additional medical records and provide new VA medical opinions as requested.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals on service connection claims for migraine headaches, bilateral upper extremity cold weather injury, bilateral lower extremity cold weather injury, bilateral CTS, bilateral shoulder injury, and hypertension due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these issues prior to the promulgation of decisions.

The Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for bilateral hip disability and hypertension have been reopened.,The Board has ordered remand of the issues related to increased ratings for lumbar spine and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities, as well as service connection for bilateral hip disability and hypertension.

The Veteran's diabetes, type 2 and hypertension are granted as presumptively incurred due to herbicide agent exposure under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and ischemic heart disease (IHD) are granted as presumptively related to his exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. Hypertension is also granted under the PACT Act for presumed exposure to herbicides.,Additional medical records from private providers such as Dr. Reed Ward, Dr. Allen J. Salem, and St. Luke's need to be obtained to fully assess these claims.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and a peripheral vascular disability as secondary to herbicide exposure. Service connection was granted for hypertension under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from September 21, 2016. The respiratory disorder and hypertension issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's reported history of high blood pressure at separation from service is sufficient to establish a presumptive period for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his diabetes and kidney issues, required regular aid and attendance. The Board granted SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including earlier effective dates for certain scars and sleep apnea. The claim for high cholesterol was denied as it is not a recognized disability for VA benefits purposes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for hypertension and a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The criteria for both claims were not met.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in prior medical opinions and the need for a new opinion on whether hypertension is caused or aggravated by service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Board has remanded the claims due to new evidence obtained by VA, and the Veteran is entitled to a full review of his claims.

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's appeals regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU). The hypertension claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence of current severity.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea, as well as a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD. The Veteran's conditions are not found to be proximately due or the result of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). The case will be reviewed with new medical opinions provided by a clinician, such as a urologist.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including gastritis, diverticulosis, TMJ, headaches, hypertension, kidney cyst, and gout of the left knee. The reasons given were that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension under the PACT Act, which entitles the Veteran to an effective date of August 10, 2022. The Board has also remanded the issues regarding bilateral ankle disability, bilateral knee disability, and low back condition as they relate to obesity as an intermediate step.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for hypertension and has remanded the issue of service connection for a heart disability as secondary to his service-connected hypertension.