Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder, combined with other disabilities, has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted TDIU and SMC housebound effective August 21, 2012.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for residuals of TBI, thoracolumbar strain with levoscoliosis, sinusitis/rhinitis disability prior to June 6, 2016, and since June 6, 2016. The claim for a higher initial rating for hypertension was also denied. Additionally, the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to May 23, 2017 was denied.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection for diverticulitis, hypertension, and hypothyroidism. The Board has determined that these issues require additional development.,Further examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's diverticulitis, hypertension, and hypothyroidism.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding whether the Veteran's kidney stones are proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, specifically chronic kidney disease with hypertension and osteoarthritis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including unspecified depressive disorder), symptoms attributable to alcoholism, left and right knee conditions, sleep disorder, colloid cyst, and migraines. The Veteran's statements and medical records are considered in determining the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate disorder, heart disorder, and hypertension have been denied.,The Veteran's right knee disorder, lumbar spine disorder, sciatica, and respiratory disorder claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for right ring finger posttraumatic degenerative joint disease and entitlement to service connection for hypertension due to secondary service connected tinnitus. The Veteran's medical history, including obstructive sleep apnea, needs to be considered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, and headaches are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection issues.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 100 percent from February 29, 2012. The RO denied entitlement to a TDIU prior to February 29, 2012, or based on a single service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there is no evidence to support a direct relationship between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA opinion on whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to service, including herbicide exposure. The PACT Act now considers hypertension as presumptively related to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions. The Board will consider whether these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service, particularly given his reported noise exposure as a cannon crewmember.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for malignant melanoma, prostate cancer, and cardiovascular disorder (to include hypertension), as well as the cause of the Veteran's death.,The Board found that there is insufficient evidence to establish a current disability in any of these conditions during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for gout as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes and hypertension, as well as his obesity subsequent to a service-connected psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's left thumb arthritis and hypertension are granted service connection, but the right knee disability is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's representative requested to withdraw the appeal for service connection of hypertension, and as a result, the Board dismissed the case.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service connected, and he has a current diagnosis of hypertension. The gastrointestinal condition (IBS and GERD) and psychiatric disability are not service connected. Right knee, left knee, right shoulder, low back, and left middle finger conditions remain on appeal.,Further evaluations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's gastrointestinal condition, psychiatric disability, and lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's hypertension is related to military service and due to herbicide agent exposure. Service connection for hypertension has been granted. The claims of diabetes mellitus, type II, hyperlipidemia, squamous cell carcinoma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are remanded as the evidence does not establish a nexus to service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension on a presumptive basis due to military service in Vietnam, effective from the date of the PACT Act (August 10, 2022).