Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the VA's duty to assist has not been satisfied and additional development is needed before the claims can be properly adjudicated. The Veteran's service connection claims for right ankle disability, left ankle disability, hypertension, and heart disability are being remanded due to outstanding records and incomplete compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and type II diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's service in Korea did not fall within the presumptive period for herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's asbestosis is granted a 100% rating, effective from the date of the decision. The issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to March 13, 2020 is dismissed as moot.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for bilateral eye disability and hypertension due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the Veteran's claims. The Veteran is seeking service connection for her bilateral eye disabilities, including cataracts and dry eye syndrome, which she contends are caused by in-service asbestos or lead exposure. She also seeks service connection for her hypertension, which she attributes to in-service lead exposure and secondary to her service-connected major depressive disorder and migraines.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, but the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is also remanded.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's service-connected hypertension, finding that his blood pressure readings have not consistently met the criteria for a higher disability evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence in the VA examiner's opinion regarding the onset of hypertension during service. The Veteran's claim for service connection is being returned for further review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), hypertension (HTN), and a heart condition have all been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.,There are no current diagnoses of tinnitus, OSA, HTN, or a heart condition in the record.

The Veteran's hypertension and sleep apnea are being remanded for additional examination and opinion. The initial compensable rating for genital warts is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to a request for a Decision Review Office (DRO) hearing.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for hypertension is granted, and he is now entitled to this benefit under the PACT Act.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss as secondary to TBI is granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's current hearing loss in the right ear is proximately due to his service-connected TBI.

The Veteran's groin condition with scar is being remanded due to inadequate VA examination findings.,The Veteran's cerebral hemangioblastoma residuals with scar are being remanded due to inadequate VA examination findings and the need for a toxic exposure screening.,The Veteran's pancreatitis, GERD, and cervical spine disability are being remanded as they are intertwined with his cerebral hemangioblastoma claim on appeal.,The Veteran's OSA is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination addressing obesity as an intermediate step.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is being remanded due to inadequate VA examination findings and the need for a VA examination addressing obesity as an intermediate step.,The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's lymph node condition is being remanded due to the need for a VA toxic exposure screening.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension on a presumptive basis under the PACT Act, but denied it on a direct basis due to lack of evidence linking it to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as due to herbicide exposure under the PACT Act. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, obstructive sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis/sinusitis (claimed as allergies and allergy/sinusitis), and tinnitus are being remanded due to new evidence received since previous decisions.,The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received sufficient to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating, including obtaining missing service treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to anxiety disorder, hypertension, and other disabilities.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has decided to vacate the April 2023 decision denying service connection for tinnitus due to an intent to file a claim for hypertension within one year of receiving the intent to file. The tinnitus claim is inextricably intertwined with the hypertension claim, so it will be remanded until both claims are adjudicated.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in the previous decision, including an inadequate VA medical opinion and failure to consider lay statements. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is believed to have caused or contributed to his death by causing him to refuse hospitalization prior to his death.