Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and need for further evidence. The Veteran's blood pressure, kidney disability, anemia, eye disability (jaundice), and respiratory disability are all in question.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, which is currently service-connected.

The Veteran's right ankle strain is rated at 10% and denied for an increased rating. The case was remanded due to the need for a new VA opinion regarding service connection for hypertension, which may be secondary to his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his claim for sleep apnea and increased ratings for various conditions. The Veteran will need to undergo additional examinations to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and restless leg syndrome were denied. The Veteran was granted a 10% rating for tinnitus, but his sleep apnea remains at the 50% level. Other conditions remain denied.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for prostate cancer, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type II due to insufficient research on alleged herbicide agent exposure during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition, finding insufficient evidence to link his current disability to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, which was caused by his in-service exposure to Agent Orange, contributed substantially or materially to cause his death. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to in-service herbicide agent exposure.,There is no evidence of a current disability of tinnitus. The Veteran has not submitted medical or lay evidence showing the existence of this condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all four issues related to service connection for left knee arthritis, GERD, hypertension, and G-6PD deficiency before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease, hypertension, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are all granted as service-connected due to exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as due to herbicide exposure under the PACT Act, effective from when the Veteran served at Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand.

The Board denied service connection for right knee, right hip, PFB, and HTN disorders as they are not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's skin disability is currently rated as 30 percent disabling, and the Board denied a higher rating. The hypertension issue was remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is granted. The claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities are remanded due to lack of a current diagnosis or opinion regarding these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an examination for hypertension, which is currently on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and acquired psychiatric disorder claims require additional development due to incomplete examination reports. The case is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar, right shoulder, left shoulder, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension disabilities due to lack of a VA medical examination in connection with these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence linking the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability or active duty service, including in-service complaints of dyspnea, to his cause of death. The appellant is asked to provide any additional medical records and a VA clinician will be requested to provide an opinion on whether there is a relationship between the Veteran's depression and his coronary artery disease.