Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, heart condition, and COPD are remanded due to the need to verify service-connected stressors, assess in-service exposure to asbestos and lead, and obtain medical opinions on the relationship between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability and high blood pressure are granted. The issue of TDIU is remanded due to the need for a VA opinion on service connection for high blood pressure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed hypertension. The claim will be reviewed again with a new examination.

The Veteran's surviving spouse is now a properly substituted appellant in the claims for service connection for hypertension, Type II diabetes mellitus, and right kidney disability. The appeals are being remanded to issue a Statement of the Case addressing these issues.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, bilateral leg and foot disabilities, varicose veins, heart disability, hypertension, hysterectomy, menopause, incontinence, bilateral eye disability, and psychiatric disability (to include depression) were all denied service connection. The case was remanded for additional development.,Service connection for sleep apnea, a heart disability, hypertension, a hysterectomy, menopause, hormonal changes, incontinence, and a bilateral eye disability is also being remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently assigned a noncompensable evaluation.,Service connection for the right knee disorder, left arm disorder, left ankle disorder, and right ankle disorder are all denied.,Service connection for diabetes, back disorder, shoulder disorder, TBI (head injury) with memory loss, neck disorder, hypertension (high blood pressure), cerebral vascular accident (CVA, strokes), headaches, and PTSD is also denied.,The Veteran's vision loss was not found to be related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for status-post excision cutaneous lesion of the right ear and SMC based on aid and attendance and/or housebound status, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding her hearing loss, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy conditions, and exposure history.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted, and the Board finds that his hypertension may be related to service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for atrial fibrillation as secondary to the Veteran's already service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for service-connected hypertension is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and treatment records. The effective date of service connection remains April 9, 2018.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, left frozen shoulder, and hypertension. The claim for PTSD was also denied due to lack of a diagnosed condition in accordance with VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to November 10, 2014 are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's hypertension and sleep apnea are granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.,A disability evaluation of 60 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II is granted from July 23, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has granted entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and right knee degenerative joint disease.,Remaining claims of service connection are being remanded due to outstanding Social Security Administration medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and relationship of hypertension to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, serous otitis media, and several other conditions were denied. The appeals for increased ratings for hearing loss and scars, as well as the effective date claims for serous otitis media and scars were also denied.

The VA Form 9 submitted in February 2018 was not received within the required time frame, leading to a denial of the appeal.

The Board has denied the claim for an initial compensable disability rating for hypertension as there is no evidence showing diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more, or a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more requiring continuous medication for control.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, OSA, diabetes, and diabetic neuropathy due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's service connection claims are pending.