Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension effective January 14, 2022. The Veteran's hypertension is presumed to be related to his active service due to exposure to herbicide agents during service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as presumptively related to herbicide agent exposure during his service in Vietnam, based on the PACT Act.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea, both claimed as secondary to obesity caused by inactivity due to service-connected back condition and/or service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder. The reasons are that VA treatment records suggest a possible link between the Veteran's prescription medication Abilify (for his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder) and weight gain/obesity, which may have contributed to hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds no basis to increase this rating. The issues of PTSD with depression, anxiety, and alcohol use disorder, hypertension, degenerative disc disease with sciatica, TDIU prior to May 28, 2010, and special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status are all remanded for further development.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there is no credible evidence linking the condition to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claims.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and secondary service connection to hypertension, back, and diabetes mellitus via obesity. The case is being remanded to obtain a new etiological opinion.

The Veteran's service connection claims for type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension have been granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide agent exposure. The heart disorder claim has been remanded as it may be related to the Veteran's hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Service connection for tinea versicolor, BPH, GERD, and Barrett's esophagus have all been denied.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for low back pain, hypertension, sleep apnea, and bilateral sensitive feet due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed due to the Appellant withdrawing her claims. The appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability was granted.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for sleep apnea, high blood pressure, and heart problems. The issues of service connection for a psychiatric disability, erectile dysfunction, and low back disability are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type II as there was no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents during service or a causal link between the conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension due to inadequate medical opinions in the previous VA examinations. The new opinions are needed to address whether these conditions had their onset during service or are otherwise related to military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of Reiter's syndrome, uveitis/iritis of the bilateral eyes, glaucoma, and high blood pressure (hypertension) as secondary to service-connected syphilis due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a heart disability (enlarged heart), and CVA residuals due to hypertension. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service occurrence of these conditions.,The Board also noted that the Veteran had been diagnosed with hypertension after leaving military service, which is not considered service-connected.

The Veteran's hypertension, abnormal mitral valve, arteriosclerotic heart disease, and arrhythmia were granted service connection as direct service connection. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for brain tumor, cancer of the liver and small intestines, and hypertension due to incomplete development. The RO is requested to obtain private medical records, complete service personnel records, and conduct a TERA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to inadequate medical opinions provided in February and August 2023, as well as a need for further examination.

The Veteran's hypertension and renal dysfunction have been rated at 30 percent since April 25, 2013. The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability, but has remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension and low back disability. The claims for radiculopathy of the lower extremities are also being remanded.