Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service connection for hypertension is granted under the PACT Act. His PTSD with anxiety disorder remains at a 70% rating, and he is granted TDIU as of April 21, 2012. The ratings for his lumbar spine and right shoulder disabilities remain remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, headaches, and hypertension. The Veteran's OSA is considered directly related to his military service. His headaches are linked to both the in-service symptoms and his current condition. Hypertension is found to be secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and bilateral hearing loss disability has been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD was granted. Increased ratings were awarded for lumbar strain (40%), bilateral foot degenerative joint disease (10%), and migraine cephalgia (30%). The effective date for the increase to a 10 percent rating for bilateral feet degenerative joint disease is May 25, 2017.

Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension is denied.,Service connection for psoriasis and dermatitis is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was denied, and her TDIU claim was granted. The hypertension case is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome has been reopened, and the reduction of his peptic ulcer disease rating from 60% to 20% is restored. Service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are granted.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, lumbosacral strain, eczema of the bilateral upper extremities and hands, scarring alopecia (perifolliculitis capitis abscedens), and pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) facial have all been denied. The Board found no evidence to support service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is granted due to the PACT Act. The claims for sleep apnea and pulmonary hypertension are remanded as additional opinions are needed.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to his service-connected migraine headaches.,The Veteran's right knee disability, diagnosed as right knee strain with degenerative arthritis status post arthroscopy, is granted on the basis of aggravation during service.,The Veteran's left knee disability, diagnosed as left knee strain with degenerative arthritis, is granted on the basis of aggravation during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and gastrointestinal condition due to insufficient examination opinions regarding service connection.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service connected under the PACT Act, but his claim for service connection prior to August 10, 2022 remains pending and requires additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted under the PACT Act, but a remand is ordered to consider service connection for hypertension on other bases.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is granted under the PACT Act. The claims for service connection for left hand pain, right hand pain, left arm pain, right arm pain, left leg pain, and right leg pain are denied as there is no current disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining updated income information and medical records, as well as scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Appellant needs aid and attendance or is housebound.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his current diagnoses of obstructive sleep apnea, atrial fibrillation (AFib), and hypertension. The claims are being reviewed again as there is insufficient evidence to determine if these conditions are related to his in-service exposure to halon gas.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied, and the case was remanded for further development. The low back disability claim is currently under review.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining an Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record (ILER) for the Veteran and a medical nexus opinion regarding her service-connected disabilities. The AOJ should also readjudicate the issues with consideration of new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, but remanded the cases of hypertension and peripheral neuropathy due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and hypertension, finding that there is no credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor or a direct relationship to service. The claim for secondary service connection for hypertension was also denied.