Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type II (diabetes), left knee disability, right knee disability, diverticulitis, obstructive sleep apnea, and benign prostate hypertrophy due to inadequate examination opinions and failure to provide ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA dates.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (other than right upper hemiparesis) has been reopened due to new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for further medical examinations and consideration of additional evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board granted a TDIU rating based on this finding.

The Board found that the reduction of the disability rating for hypertension from 60 percent to 10 percent, effective July 1, 2017, was proper and denied restoration of a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and hypertension were denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service onset or aggravation, and the VA examiner did not find that the current conditions are due to military service.

The Board has restored the Veteran's SMC benefits from March 13, 2017 due to improper severance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current residuals from a head injury, and his bilateral hearing loss is not related to service. The case is being remanded for further examination regarding his knee strain and hypertension.,The Veteran's service-connected hypertension is also being remanded for an updated rating determination.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his hepatitis C claim was granted. His heart condition and diabetes mellitus type II claims were remanded for further review.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for dizziness and vertigo, hypertension, and a skin disorder. The case will be remanded to obtain new VA medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain a TERA examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's hypertension, including as due to diesel fuel exhaust exposure during service. The examiner must consider all applicable military deployments and toxic exposure activities of the Veteran.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it is secondary to his service-connected varicose veins. The decision resolves doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's nasal fracture, right hip contusion and degenerative arthritis, surgical scars as residuals of liver transplant, anxiety disorder, and hypertension are all denied.,A rating in excess of the current evaluations for these conditions is not warranted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection on all listed conditions prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder, low back disability, and sinus disability is remanded. The appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder remains pending.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as these conditions are not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during service. The Veteran's statements regarding the etiology of his conditions were considered but found insufficient due to lack of specialized training.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, heart disability, and reactive airway disease were denied as the evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his active military service.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for secondary service connection for his depressive disorder, left hip disability, right hip disability, lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, and hypertension to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including a heart disability, lung cancer, lumbar spine disability, hypertension, liver disability, peripheral neuropathy, allergic rhinitis, mediastinal lymphadenopathy, gastrointestinal disability, blood forming organ disorder, reticuloendothelial disability, agranulocytosis, and nasal disability. The claims are remanded for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and TDIU from October 10, 2007 to October 21, 2009. The Veteran's hypertension was not shown to be related to his military service or a service-connected disability.