Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim of service connection for blood clots of the calves and lungs, bilateral pes planus, hypertension, and a bilateral eye disorder is reopened. The issues are remanded to provide VA examinations.

The Veteran's hypertension and right knee arthritis have been granted service connection based on continuity of symptoms since separation from service.,Service connection for OSA is remanded as it is secondary to PTSD.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Hypertension, and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease on a secondary basis to his service-connected disabilities. The decision also remanded the issues of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating increases have been dismissed due to his request to withdraw the appeals.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and lack of medical evidence supporting the Veteran's assertions.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for pulmonary arterial hypertension. The issues of service connection for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and sleep apnea secondary to asthma and/or psychiatric disability are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and thyroid nodules, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure or in-service events that would support these claims.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to obtain private treatment records and provide addendum opinions. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Board has remanded several claims for increased ratings, including those for diabetes mellitus type II with hypertension and erectile dysfunction, PTSD, diabetic neuropathy of the left upper and lower extremities, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also pending.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, including pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), post-operative residuals of left acromioclavicular separation, and other conditions. The decision also includes requests for additional medical opinions and updated VA treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for atherosclerotic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension as secondary to atherosclerotic heart disease, shortness of breath as secondary to diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities. The denial is based on lack of evidence of herbicide exposure in Korea.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus has been granted service connection and is rated as a separate disability.,Service connection for hypertension with chronic kidney disease was granted, but the Veteran's initial rating of 60% remains unchanged.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for hyperlipidemia, hypertension, cardiomyopathy, CAD, chronic kidney disease, and coronary artery disease due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's entire period of service in the U.S. Naval Reserve is requested.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension on a direct basis due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at the maximum available rating of 40 percent, and there is no evidence of active malignancy or renal dysfunction. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.,Erectile dysfunction is already rated at its maximum of 0 percent, with no additional impairment found. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.,Hypertension is currently rated at the minimum available rating of 10 percent and there is no evidence of diastolic or systolic pressures meeting the thresholds required for higher ratings under Code 7101. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran's prostatectomy scar, which developed into a keloid, is rated at its minimum available rating of 0 percent due to its small size (4 square centimeters). The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for valvular heart disease is granted, with hypertension being the underlying condition.,Service connection for hypertension is granted under the PACT Act.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have exposure to herbicide agents during his service, and therefore cannot be presumed to have developed diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart disability (coronary artery disease), or skin disability (basal cell carcinoma with dysplastic nevi) as a result of such exposure. As such, these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's Type II Diabetes Mellitus is granted as secondary to his service-connected hypertension. The initial rating for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) remains at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for atrial fibrillation, essential hypertension, diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, kidney disease, stroke, and heart disease due to potential exposure to firefighting foam, diesel oil, and fumes during military service. A VA medical opinion is needed to assess whether these conditions are related to toxic exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension with chronic kidney disease and PTSD have been reopened, but the right shoulder disability claim remains denied. The case is remanded to consider the PTSD claim on its merits.