Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Veteran withdrew his claim for bilateral hearing loss, and the Board dismissed it as a result.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, have impacted his ability to secure and follow a substantial gainful occupation at any time during the appeal period. The Board finds it necessary to remand this matter for a medical advisory opinion addressing the Veteran's functional limitations with respect to his service-connected disabilities throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's service connection for hypertension was granted on a presumptive basis related to herbicide agent exposure pursuant to the PACT Act.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and colon polyps were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or causation during service. Service connection for tinnitus was granted with an effective date of April 26, 2017.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be related to service, and the claim for service connection is granted.,The Veteran's right foot condition, left foot condition, right ankle condition, left ankle condition, right knee condition, and left knee condition are remanded due to insufficient rationale in the VA examination opinions.,The Veteran's sinusitis is found to be related to service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the DIC claim due to inadequate development of evidence regarding whether VA medication caused or aggravated the Veteran's hypertension and heart condition, leading to his death.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension are granted. The Veteran is also granted service connection for these conditions based on exposure to JP-4 fuel in service.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted a 10 percent rating prior to May 24, 2022 and denied for any increased rating. The issue of service connection for PTSD has been remanded.,The Board will attempt to corroborate the Veteran's claimed stressors and schedule him for a VA examination to determine if he has PTSD and its etiology.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, prostate cancer residuals, erectile dysfunction (secondary to prostate cancer), and a skin disease (basal and squamous cell cancer) all related to exposure at Camp Lejeune.,Service connection was not granted for any of the Veteran's claimed conditions due to lack of evidence linking them to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed exposure to herbicide agents in Okinawa and contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The VA is instructed to attempt verification of these exposures and provide a medical opinion on the etiology of the disabilities.

The Veteran's OSA is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, major depressive disorder, and insomnia. The effective date for this grant of service connection is September 2, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability has been reopened and remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and respiratory disorder have also been reopened and remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was granted. The Board found that the most probative evidence showed that the Veteran's hypertension had its onset during his military service and is related to his service-connected cervical spine disability. The issue of service connection for right shoulder radiculopathy as secondary to service-connected cervical spine disability was remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for schizophrenia and withdrawn the appeals for service connection for a lung disability, sleep apnea, heart disability, diabetes, hepatitis C, and hypertension.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were withdrawn. The Board granted service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been resolved in full with a grant of benefits. The remaining issues have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension and ischemic heart disease due to exposure to herbicide agents. The AOJ is required to obtain an opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed conditions, including whether they are related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

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

Service connection for prostate cancer with secondary erectile dysfunction is granted.,Service connection for hypertension based on a claim filed October 19, 2020, is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and thus grants his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, an increased rating for PTSD, and TDIU are being remanded due to procedural errors and the need for additional medical opinions.