Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, hypertension, and sleep apnea due to new evidence. However, these claims are still pending as they have been remanded for additional development.

Service connection is granted for diabetes, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of all four extremities, and erectile dysfunction.,Service connection is denied for a chronic lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were dismissed. The Board found that the evidence was in equipoise as to whether the Veteran had right knee instability, warranting a separate 10% disability rating. Other issues are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and compensation for various conditions resulting from VA medical treatment has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.,The claims have been reopened, but no new evidence was provided.

The Board has remanded the claims for posttraumatic stress disorder, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, allergic rhinitis, bilateral foot condition, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, right knee pain, left knee pain, degenerative disc disease, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, sleep apnea, and benign prostatic hypertrophy due to incomplete service treatment records.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty in Vietnam, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension on a non-PACT Act basis due to in-service exposure to Agent Orange, finding that the current diagnosis of hypertension is caused by this exposure and resolving all doubts in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's hypertension and remanded the issue of total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to November 12, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, service connection for left knee and right shoulder disorders, and HTN have been denied. The appeals are dismissed as the submitted evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and secondary service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as related to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Hypertension is presumed due to herbicide exposure, while OSA is considered secondary to PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an initial VA examination for hypertension, which may be associated with service. The Veteran's statements and in-service blood pressure readings support this need.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome. The Board found that there is no medical evidence supporting a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's service-connected disability.

The Veteran's heart condition, specifically ischemic heart disease and coronary artery disease, is denied. However, hypertension due to presumed herbicide agent exposure during service in Korea is granted under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's SMC based on loss of use of the right foot is granted effective January 24, 2012. The Board has remanded for additional development regarding his hypertension and service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development regarding service connection for various conditions due to potential exposure to herbicides during service.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance/housebound due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded as there is insufficient medical evidence to determine if he needs regular aid and assistance.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for heart condition, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss. The appellant's claims are pending as they relate to accrued benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, heart disease, and chronic kidney disease as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with alcohol abuse.

The Board has found that further remand is required due to the need for VA examinations and retrieval of VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims for cervical spine condition, bilateral knee condition, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension are all being remanded.