Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic venous hypertension in both lower left and right extremities due to his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine condition and hypertension due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran contends her conditions are related to in-service injuries, but VA examiners have not provided adequate rationale.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and disability ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and further examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, but has found that further development is needed due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran will need to undergo additional VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the claims for ischemic heart disease and hypertension due to potential service connection issues, as well as TDIU. Additional development is needed including obtaining treatment records and completing a VA Form 21-8940.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including stomach ulcers, prostate cancer residuals, anxiety and panic attacks, arthritis of the lower back, vision problems, umbilical hernia, high blood pressure, bilateral hand carpal tunnel syndrome, and arthritis of the knees. The evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and active service.

The claims of service connection for liver disorder, hypertension, heart disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and left testicle disorder are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The Veteran's current diagnoses and potential in-service events will be evaluated.

The Board has remanded the case due to an outstanding unadjudicated claim for hypertension, which is now eligible for service connection as due to the Veteran's conceded herbicide exposure. The intertwined claim for kidney disease will also be adjudicated.

Service connection for hypertension is granted pursuant to the PACT Act, but the claim for service connection on a basis other than as pursuant to the PACT Act (secondary to diabetes) is remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for tinnitus, ear drum pressure, and high blood pressure (hypertension) before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left eye disability and cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted a 10% rating, but no higher, throughout the claim period.,Service connection for a skin condition other than chest keloid scars (pseudofolliculitis barbae) is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical opinions regarding service connection for hypertension, including whether it is secondary to a service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's hypertension, left shoulder degenerative joint disease, right shoulder tendonitis, right upper extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity neuropathy, right foot pes planus and metatarsalgia, and left foot pes planus and metatarsalgia are not service connected. The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to address these issues.

The Veteran's cause of death, hypertension, is presumed to be due to exposure to herbicide agents during his service in the Republic of Vietnam. As a result, the appeal for service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10% prior to January 31, 2022 and denied for higher ratings. The right foot surgery residuals are also rated at the maximum schedular rating available (30%) and no further extension of a temporary total evaluation beyond July 31, 2015 is granted. Service connection for left knee disorder, left foot disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction remains remanded.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and the Veteran's active duty service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disability, hypertension, heart disability, stroke residuals, and bilateral hearing loss. The appeals were not granted due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension did not begin during his active duty service and is not otherwise related to his military service, thus denying service connection for hypertension.