Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded several claims for service connection, including those related to diabetes and hypertension. The records from the private medical provider Dr. Brookenthal at Advocate Medical Sykes are needed to fully evaluate these claims.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes, coronary artery disease, and hypertension are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need to clarify his service dates and toxic exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling an examination with an appropriate examiner.

The Veteran's hypertension claim is denied. For the period from August 16, 2011 to July 30, 2013, an initial evaluation of 30 percent for HIV/AIDS is granted.

The Board has denied service connection for cause of death, finding that the Veteran's acute renal failure, dyspnea/COPD/respiratory failure, coronary artery disease (CAD), and hypertension were not incurred in or related to his military service.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted under the PACT Act effective August 10, 2022. The claim of service connection for a seizure disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD remains pending as remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of bilateral knee disabilities and hypertension due to insufficient evidence in the record, specifically missing medical records from within 6-9 months after service separation.

The Veteran's Fuchs corneal dystrophy is remanded for a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition and its relationship to other eye conditions. Service connection for retinal edema, scarring, ocular hypertension, and optic nerve edema are also remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for further examination and medical opinion to determine if it is related to service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot disability, hypertension secondary to lumbar spine and radiculopathy left lower extremity, and increased ratings for urinary urge incontinence, degenerative arthritis with herniated disc and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and radiculopathy, left lower extremity. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at a 10 percent disability rating, effective September 11, 2013.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, does not meet the criteria for an increased rating greater than 20 percent.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of service connection for hypertension (HTN) has been granted. Service connection is also granted for GERD, but only under the PACT Act.,Service connection for HTN and related conditions are remanded due to insufficient evidence on the etiology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for porphyria cutanea tarda and hypertension was denied. The Veteran's bladder cancer residuals were granted a 60 percent rating effective December 26, 2023.,An effective date earlier than May 3, 2023, for the grant of service connection for CAD with valvular heart disease and an increased disability rating for bladder cancer residuals was denied.

The Veteran's IHD, diabetes, and hypertension are granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide agent exposure. The low back disorder, bladder disorder, and thyroid disorder claims are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. A new VA medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, or permanently housebound.

The Veteran's appeal includes issues related to service connection for various peripheral neuropathies, which have been remanded by the Board. The primary focus of this decision is on the evaluation and service connection for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension due to herbicide agent exposure prior to August 10, 2022. The Veteran's coronary disability is also granted as secondary to his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for MDD has been granted, with an effective date of August 29, 2018.,Service connection for HTN has been established due to herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide agent exposure. The issues of service connection for CHF, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral eye disability, GERD, and skin moles are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for cardiovascular disorder, hypertension, DM, and skin disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.