Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for hypertension due to a lack of a VA examination prior to the decision on appeal.

The Board has denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and remanded the claim of service connection for hypertension, which is secondary to a service-connected psychiatric disability. The Veteran's current evidence does not show a current diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome or a specified fatigue disability.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for hypertension and GERD have been withdrawn. The appeal for sleep apnea has been remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for headaches, a heart condition (including hypertension), a bilateral condition, a left ankle disability, and a right ankle disability due to incomplete records from the VA Medical Center in Long Beach, California prior to 1997.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone, without considering her non-service-connected impairments, were sufficient for requiring regular aid and attendance. The VA will need to provide a retrospective opinion from an examiner.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder is remanded. The appeal for service connection for hypertension as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities is also remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as due to herbicide exposure pursuant to the PACT Act, effective August 10, 2022. The issue of service connection for hypertension on a direct basis and secondary to a service connected heart disability remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a medical examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, which is currently service-connected. The examiner should consider whether the condition is related to service, aggravated by sleep apnea or major depressive disorder, or both.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations regarding her service-connected right knee patellofemoral syndrome and left foot pes planus.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension are granted as a result of exposure to herbicides. The hypertension is also granted under the PACT Act.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disability, including mood disorder, major depression, and PTSD due to potential asbestos exposure during service.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for hypertension and GERD are remanded due to concerns about the qualifications of the VA examiner who conducted the initial evaluations in 2018, as well as potential need for updated medical records.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, right knee condition, and left knee condition. The Veteran's hypertension was found to have existed prior to service and not aggravated by service. Her right and left knee conditions were not shown as chronic in service or related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Board also noted that the Veteran had a current diagnosis of bilateral knee instability but did not find it to be related to her service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a cardiac disorder, diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. The AOJ must obtain the Veteran's complete service personnel records, request new VA medical opinions regarding his exposure to asbestos during service, and address whether any of these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for heart disease and hypertension, finding no evidence of such conditions in service or within one year post-service. The Veteran's current conditions were not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for various secondary service connection claims have been dismissed due to their death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these appeals.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Veteran's hypertension was not rated as compensable prior to July 6, 2018.,There is no evidence of a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes during the appeal period.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction secondary to major depressive disorder has been granted.,Service connection for sleep apnea has not been established.

The Veteran's application to reopen a claim of service connection for tinnitus is denied. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for hypertension and ischemic heart disease as a result of VA prescribed medications, finding that there was no evidence showing additional disability or worsening due to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault by VA medical personnel.