Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service connected prior to August 10, 2022.,Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disability, hypertension, lymph node disability, and bilateral hand numbness disabilities are remanded due to the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for renal failure has been reopened and granted. Service connection is also established for hypertension, but a compensable rating is denied.,An earlier effective date of March 5, 2020, was granted for the award of service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss has been granted a noncompensable disability rating.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss and hypertension have both been granted.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral heel spurs, sleep apnea, and hypertension due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected hypertension was denied because he failed to report for a VA examination without providing good cause.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the claim for service connection for hypertension and TDIU is decided based on the merits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right shoulder osteoarthritis, left shoulder degenerative arthritis (status-post rotator cuff repair), diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The Board found that there was no evidence of in-service injury or illness related to these conditions.,The March 2023 VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, right shoulder osteoarthritis, left shoulder degenerative arthritis (status-post rotator cuff repair), diabetes mellitus, and hypertension are not likely related to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates of service connection for headaches and hypertension, as well as an initial compensable rating for hypertension, were denied. The claim for TDIU is remanded.,The Veteran was not provided with a VA examination to assess the severity of his headaches.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and acquired pes cavus were granted a 50 percent rating effective April 28, 2017. The claims for service connection for tinnitus, headaches, diabetes mellitus type II, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, hypertension, sleep disability, vision loss, and right shoulder disability are all remanded.

The Veteran's left shoulder arthritis, onychomycosis of the toes, gout, mental health disability (Major Depressive Disorder), hypertension, right thumb arthritis, left knee arthritis, and Morton's neuroma of the right foot have all been granted service connection.,Additionally, the issue of entitlement to service connection for splenomegaly, anemia, and a right foot disability other than Morton's neuroma has been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to exposure to beryllium in service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension has been granted and is dismissed. The claims for higher ratings for left lower extremity arthritis, status post fibula and tibia open reduction internal fixation and scar, status post left lower extremity ORIF tibia and fibula are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to overlooked issues and unavailability of service treatment records. The Veteran's exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune is acknowledged, but no presumptive diseases are listed as related to this exposure.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent since May 18, 2020. The RO has granted a maximum rating for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including unspecified depressive disorder and right shoulder strain, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 26, 2016. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual employability from this date.

The Veteran's service connection claims for migraine headaches, CAD, GERD, and hypertension are remanded due to the need for additional development under the PACT Act.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased evaluations and service connection for several conditions, including right ear hearing loss, migraines, and other issues.,The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of right ear hearing loss or migraine headaches.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of his claims regarding whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen previously denied service connection claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, hypertension, and sleep apnea. The Board dismissed the appeal due to this request.

The Veteran's heart disability, including myocarditis and CAD, hypertension, and residuals of a stroke are not service-connected.,There is no evidence of these conditions during or immediately after service.