Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's sleep apnea is denied as it was not incurred in or related to her active service.,The Veteran's back condition is denied as it is not caused by or aggravated by her left shoulder condition, and the Board finds that all reasonable doubt should be resolved in favor of the Veteran.,Service connection for hypertension is granted as it is aggravated by her service-connected left shoulder condition.

The Board has remanded the service connection for hypertension due to insufficient medical opinions. The claim for erectile dysfunction secondary to PTSD medication is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension, MGUS, PTSD, and service-connected conditions contributed to his death from pancreatic cancer. The VA must obtain addendum opinions addressing these issues.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate condition, erectile dysfunction, bilateral kidney condition, bilateral eye condition, and heart condition. The claims were also remanded for hypertension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar osteoarthritis, service connection for hypertension, service connection for a psychiatric disability, and service connection for headaches due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various musculoskeletal conditions, including PTSD, lower back condition, right and left knee conditions, left leg pain, and left ankle condition are remanded due to the need for further examination and evaluation. The effective date claim for PTSD is also remanded as it may be addressed in conjunction with other issues.

The Board has found that the evidence of record was inadequate at the time of the May 2022 rating decision and requires remand for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's hypertension.

The Veteran's PTSD with stimulant use disorder, cocaine, in sustained remission is rated at 50 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,There is no current right ankle disability for which service connection can be granted.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of September 30, 2008 for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).,The Veteran is also granted an effective date of September 30, 2008 for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and right knee limitation of flexion, but denied service connection for hypertension, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), an acquired psychiatric disorder, and sinusitis. The claims for these conditions are considered to be reopened due to the submission of new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU is being remanded due to the need to obtain certain medical records from VistA and private sources. The Board will review these records to determine if they support the Veteran's claim of unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for hypertension due to additional relevant medical evidence being received after the statement of the case was issued. The Veteran must be provided with a VA examination to consider the severity of his service-connected hypertension since December 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding a continuity of symptomatology since service.,The Board has also granted service connection for right hand arthritis, finding a continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has referred several claims to the AOJ for further development and final adjudication, including service connection for a right hip disability, hypertension, strokes secondary to hypertension, bilateral lower extremity swelling (edema), right ankle disability, and rating of a right knee disability in excess of 20 percent. The AOJ should address these issues promptly.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, seizures as secondary to hypertension, and suprarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm as secondary to hypertension are all granted. The PACT Act is applied in the decision regarding hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, chronic headache disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and bilateral eye disability due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his military service or exposure to contaminated water.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and bacterial conjunctivitis have been denied as there is no current disability. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of gout, left eye astigmatism, borderline glaucoma, flat feet, or hypertension.,For the remaining issues, the Board has found that additional evidence is needed to determine if service connection can be granted.

The Veteran's death has resulted in the dismissal of all claims due to lack of jurisdiction.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 50 percent for the period prior to November 22, 2021. The PTSD and hypertension disabilities are each rated at 70 percent.,PTSD remains rated at 70 percent, while the hearing loss and hypertension ratings remain unchanged.

The Board has reopened the appellant's previously denied claims of service connection for bilateral foot condition, hypertension, and tinnitus. The claim for bilateral foot condition is granted as new and material evidence was received indicating that his pre-existing condition worsened during service.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted based on continuity of symptomatology since discharge from service.