Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's initial claim for a 10% rating for hypertension was granted. The lung condition issue, including service connection and aggravation by hypertension medication, is remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted a 20% rating from March 23, 2023. The Board finds reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran's hypertension warranting this increased rating.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder) is granted.

Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, fatigue, left shoulder pain, right wrist pain, esophageal reflux, sleep disturbances, headaches, lung condition, hypertension, and heart condition are denied. A rating in excess of 10 percent for a painful scar on the left knee and a compensable rating for non-painful scars on the left knee is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension had onset during service. The claim will be reviewed again with a new opinion.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension due to a lack of compliance with prior remand instructions. The Veteran's hypertension is related to his military service, but the VA examiner did not consider all relevant STRs and lay statements.

The appellant's appeals for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities have been withdrawn and are dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension, secondary to sleep apnea, and a dental, oral, and gum condition (including numbness of the chin and lip).

The Board has denied an increased rating for hypertension and has remanded the issue of service connection for hyperaldosteronism, including hypokalemia, secondary to service-connected hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an examination addressing the Veteran's exposure during non-deployment periods, specifically his work as a mechanic from September 1987 to August 1994.

The Veteran's hypertension, claimed as high blood pressure, has been granted service connection due to herbicide agent exposure during active duty in Vietnam.,For the period prior to October 28, 2020, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not rated higher than 0 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the incorrect use of a modernized review system form. The AOJ must issue an SOC and allow for a timely substantive appeal if one is filed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions due to a lack of issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) and improper form use in filing his appeal. The issues will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further medical evaluation and opinion regarding the Veteran's claims of obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension, including as secondary to service-connected PTSD.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions due to the appellant's withdrawal of these claims. The claim for a higher rating for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal to restore the rating for sinusitis is dismissed. The appeal to reopen his claim for service connection for a chronic kidney condition is granted, and the claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for erythema nodosum has been dismissed due to the appellant's request for withdrawal.,The Board is remanding several issues including tinnitus, acid reflux disease, astigmatism, presbyopia, myopia, cervical dysplasia, uterine fibroids, left knee Baker's cyst, demyelinating disease, bilateral foot neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity sciatic nerve disability for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral knee condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and persistent depressive disorder with anxious features), obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension are all granted service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, hypertensive heart disease, and arrhythmia due to herbicide exposure. However, the claim for sick sinus syndrome secondary to hypertension remains unresolved as there is insufficient evidence regarding its etiology.

The Board found that the withholding of VA disability compensation for 54 training days in FY 2016 was proper, as the Veteran received concurrent pay and thus did not receive additional benefits. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for OSA, major depressive disorder, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD. Service connection for a disorder manifested by neurological symptoms along the whole right side of the body, separate and distinct from Brown-Sequard Syndrome, is denied. The Veteran's rating for Brown-Sequard Syndrome, right lower extremity, prior to December 18, 2019, is granted at 40 percent.