Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's hypertension is granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide agent exposure. The appeal for TDIU prior to July 7, 2009 is dismissed as moot.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions for the service connection claims are inadequate, requiring further remand to obtain additional medical evidence and opinions.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in the Republic of Vietnam, effective from January 9, 1962, to May 7, 1975.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied in October 2011, and new evidence submitted since then has not been sufficient to reopen the claim. The claims for a rating more than 10 percent for patellofemoral pain, left knee; service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (also claimed as depression with anxiety); and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea are all remanded.

The Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, heart condition, hypertension, and nose breathing problems have been granted. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and heart disorder. The reasons include needing verification of National Guard service periods, additional audiogram reports, and a new VA examination for both hearing loss and heart disorders.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted. The appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, sleep apnea, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder are all considered.

The Veteran's claims for initial and increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension have been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to establish the Veteran's high blood pressure, right shoulder condition, and hernia as being related to his military service. The claims are therefore remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions have been denied. The maximum schedular rating of 10 percent has been granted for the right index finger disability, but no higher rating is warranted due to lack of ankylosis or functional impairment equivalent to amputation. Service connection was not established for any of the claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, including lay statements and medical literature. The case is being reviewed de novo as the previous decision was vacated. A remand is necessary to obtain an addendum opinion addressing the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, considering his service-connected PTSD and hypertension.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension on a direct basis based on the Veteran's claim received in June 2016. The issue of entitlement to TDIU was also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from December 20, 2006, to June 2, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension prior to August 10, 2022, and right lower extremity neuropathy were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct or secondary service connection.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service connected due to in-service herbicide exposure, effective prior to August 10, 2022. The claims for COPD, emphysema, and a colon condition are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type 2, chronic kidney disease, liver disability, and hypertension due to asbestos exposure during service. VA is required to provide examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral knee disability was reopened, and he is now granted service connection. His claims for asthma are also granted, but his claims for thyroid disability, cervical spine disability, hypertension (secondary to major depressive disorder), sleep disability, bilateral hip disability, and erectile dysfunction (secondary to thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis with IVDS) remain pending.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The left knee, bilateral heel disorder with plantar fasciitis (secondary to the non-service-connected left knee disorder), left wrist disorder, right wrist disorder, lumbosacral strain, hypertension, migraines, and vertigo/syncope are all remanded for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood. Service connection for a left ankle condition is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin disability and denied service connection for hypertension and a psychiatric disorder. The skin disability is believed to have started during service, while the other conditions are not considered related to service.