Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is part of his PTSD and does not result in a separate disability. His PTSD results in total occupational and social impairment.,The Veteran's PTSD warrants an initial rating of 100%.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) because the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or related to service, including any exposure to toxic exposures during service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% rating for diabetic nephropathy with hypertension and SMC at the P-2 rate prior to September 3, 2019 is denied. The earliest possible effective date is September 3, 2019.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type I, diabetic neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, and erectile dysfunction due to a failure of the AOJ to obtain adequate medical opinions as to the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's lay statements, medical records, and VA examination are needed to determine if his conditions were related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for hypertension due to insufficient medical evidence and errors in development. The Veteran seeks service connection for hypertension, which he asserts is related to toxic exposures and stress endured during service.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection due to herbicide exposure under the PACT Act, but a compensable rating is denied as his blood pressure readings do not meet the criteria for a 10% disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for dermatitis, hypertension, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and neuropathy, resection of the large intestine, esophagus stricture, and shortness of breath should be remanded due to a lack of information regarding specific toxic exposures during his service aboard the USS Forrestal in July 1967.

The Board has remanded several claims for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection requests, including those for CFS, hypertension, cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right knee disability (secondary to bilateral pes planus), and costochondritis.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for hypertension (HTN) has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a disability manifested by dizziness, lightheadedness, and headaches secondary to his service-connected HTN is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and headaches, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to or aggravated by service-connected knee disabilities and tinnitus, respectively.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder with depression is alleged to have caused or aggravated obesity, which in turn allegedly caused his claimed disabilities. The Board finds that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum VA opinion addressing these contentions.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional records from correctional facilities where the Veteran served.

The Veteran's hypertension is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure. The lower back, left hip, and right hip conditions are denied as not related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of hypertension prior to August 10, 2022, finding that it is less likely than not related to his in-service complaints or due to herbicide exposure. The claim was granted on a presumptive basis under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU was denied as he had full-time employment until March 2016, and his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for DEA benefits was also denied because the award of a TDIU precluded such eligibility.

The Veteran's hypertension, urinary incontinence, right knee disability, and left knee disability are all granted service connection as they manifested during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and additional evidentiary development is required, including a VA examination for carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board dismissed the claim of service connection for sick sinus syndrome, to include as secondary to hypertension because the Veteran never filed an application on this issue.

The Board has dismissed the claim for service connection for low back strain due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The issues of compensable rating for hypertension, service connection for TBI, dry eye syndrome and nuclear cataracts, sinusitis, gastroenteritis, and TDIU are all remanded.