Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Board dismissed the appeal of hypertension as a duplicate appeal, as it was already remanded in another docket and no new evidence has been submitted.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability, low back disability, and hypertension are being remanded for further development as new evidence has been received.,Specifically, the RO needs to obtain VA examination records from September 2018 and private medical records from Dr. J.E.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides, and the diseases did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hypertension.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding that there was no evidence of herbicide agent exposure and that the Veteran's conditions were not related to his military service.

The Veteran's renal dysfunction, including persistent edema and albuminuria with BUN 40 to 80mg%; creatinine 4 to 8mg%, was not severe enough to warrant a rating in excess of the currently assigned ratings.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for sleep apnea, including as secondary to hypertension, due to a lack of adequate medical opinion and incomplete private medical records.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection as it manifested within one year of separation from active duty. Service connection for a right-hand disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus were denied due to lack of current diagnoses.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, respiratory disorder, memory loss, low back disability, and sciatica. The Veteran's conditions were not found to be related to his active service.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and denied an initial compensable disability rating for erectile dysfunction. The claim of increased disability rating for diabetes mellitus was not addressed as it is a separate issue.

The Board has denied service connection for hypoglycemia as it is a laboratory finding and not a disability subject to service connection. The remaining issues are remanded due to the need for further development regarding the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and headaches are remanded due to deficiencies in the duty to assist, inadequate VA examination, and failure to address certain theories of service connection.

The claim for service connection for sleep apnea is dismissed. The claim for a compensable rating for hypertension is denied.

The Veteran's requests to review his claims for service connection for chronic kidney disease and hypertension have been dismissed because the earlier request for higher-level review took precedence, as per VA regulations.

The Veteran's heart disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, right shoulder disability, back disability, and allergy disability are not service-connected. However, hypertension is granted as a result of presumed exposure to herbicide agents during active duty in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeals for ratings and effective dates have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal through his authorized representative.

The Veteran's hypertension, which requires continuous medication for control, has not been manifested by diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, or a history thereof, or systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more. As such, an initial compensable rating is denied.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected hypertension, finding that his systolic pressure predominantly exceeds 160 over the appeal period. The highest possible evaluation based on the evidence is 10 percent.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for hypertension, special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound status, service connection for a neck disability (also claimed as neck strain), and service connection for arthritis, to include osteoporosis (cervical spine) due to improper docketing in the AMA system.

The Veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The Board will consider whether his hypertension is related to Agent Orange exposure in service.