Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's hypertension did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as it did not have diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more. The Board denied the claim.

The Veteran's hypertension and acquired psychiatric disorder are granted service connection due to exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's coronary artery disease is rated at 60 percent, prostate cancer at 20 percent, and erectile dysfunction does not warrant a compensable rating.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for facial moles is denied.,Service connection for Barrett's esophagus is denied.,Service connection for hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol) is denied.,An initial rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's right hip osteoarthritis is not rated higher than 10% based on limitation of flexion, and the left knee strain is not rated higher than 10%. The hypertension remains at a noncompensable rating.,The Board has remanded the case for further review due to new evidence received after the initial decision.

Your claims for service connection have been granted. The Board has found new and relevant evidence that supports your claims.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for high blood pressure should be remanded due to a duty to assist error. A new VA examination is needed to determine if the condition is related to service or any incident of service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to a lack of adequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between his current diagnosis and in-service exposures.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension did not meet the criteria for a higher initial disability rating of more than 10 percent, as his blood pressure readings were consistently below the threshold required for such an increase.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The prostate cancer residuals are rated at the maximum schedular level of 60 percent for urinary leakage, and a noncompensable rating remains for the prostatectomy surgical scar.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes, congestive heart failure, renal kidney failure, hypertension, flat feet, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and alcohol use disorder), stomach ulcers, hearing loss, tinnitus, and migraines. The reasons for remand include a lack of evidence regarding exposure to chemicals in service, the need to verify in-service stressors, and incomplete records from Dr. P. Weaver.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension due to herbicide exposure and for kidney cancer as secondary to the now service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all issues, including right knee strain with degenerative arthritis, pseudofolliculitis barbae, hypertension, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. As a result, the Board dismisses these claims.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's causes of death are related to his service, including exposure to herbicide agents or classified nuclear components. The case is being remanded for additional medical opinions and records retrieval.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is related to his herbicide exposure during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension, finding that the Veteran did not have these conditions during active duty or within one year of discharge. The evidence does not support a finding that they are related to service.,Service connection was granted for Tinnitus, as it was incurred in service.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for right ankle Achilles tendonitis was denied as new and material evidence had not been received.,Service connection for COPD due to exposure at Camp Lejeune was denied, with the Board finding no current diagnosis of COPD in the record.,Service connection for pulmonary embolism claimed as coronary heart disease due to exposure at Camp Lejeune was also denied, with the Board noting a lack of current diagnosis and insufficient evidence to establish a causal relationship.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for neck disorder, hypertension, left knee DJD, and right knee DJD were remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence in several areas, including his eye and vision disability, PTSD, acquired psychiatric disorders other than PTSD, obstructive sleep apnea, headache disability, and hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a new VA examination. The issue of TDIU is also remanded as it is intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further examination. The issues include COPD, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, major depressive disorder, kidney condition, and liver condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, PTSD, and sleep apnea have been denied. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty.,There is no credible evidence linking the current disabilities to in-service noise exposure or other events.