Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for tinnitus was granted.,The Veteran's claims for hypertension, migraine headaches, and GERD were denied due to lack of a causal relationship with service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for further medical examination and opinion regarding the relationship between her current conditions and service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including revising a June 1970 rating decision on CUE, determining an earlier effective date for hypertension, and addressing his TDIU claim. The GSW residuals issue remains under review.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae was denied a compensable rating, as the condition did not meet the criteria for any higher rating.,Service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and left elbow disorder were both denied. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.

Service connection for hypertension is granted under the PACT Act, and a 50 percent rating is assigned for PTSD beginning May 12, 2015. The Veteran's PTSD prior to that date remains at a 30 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, as it is unclear whether his condition had onset in or was related to his active duty service. The VA examiner will be asked to provide an opinion on this matter.

The Board has remanded the claims for character of discharge and service connection under Chapter 17 for PTSD, Sleep Apnea, Migraine Disability, and Hypertension due to potential issues with the appellant's UOTHC discharge from service.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes is found to be the primary cause of his diagnosed conditions, including asthma, erectile dysfunction (ED), hypertension, bilateral diabetic retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy in multiple extremities, and a left eye scar. The Board has granted increased ratings for these conditions based on their secondary relationship to diabetes.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for tinnitus, PTSD, and hypertension are denied. Service connection for a back disorder, tension headaches, and vertigo is also denied.,An initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, in-service event or disease, or a causal relationship to service.,There is no evidence of hypertension during service. The September 2020 VA examination found the Veteran has hypertension but did not find it related to service.

The Board has vacated its September 2020 decision and remanded several issues related to the Veteran's respiratory, sleep apnea, heart failure, implantable defibrillator, hypertension, esophageal condition, diabetes mellitus type II, and psychiatric disorders. The issues are now in a state of pending status.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient etiology opinions regarding the cause of death, and a new opinion is needed.

The claims for service connection for hypertension, right flat foot, left flat foot, lower back disorder, and bilateral knee disorders have been reopened. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has also been reopened.,However, the claims for service connection for headaches, pseudofolliculitis barbae (also claimed as dermatology), residuals of chicken pox, and pneumonia remain denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for diabetic nephropathy prior to February 22, 2018 was denied. The effective date for the grant of a separate 30 percent rating for diabetic nephropathy from April 27, 2015 is granted.,Total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been granted since July 10, 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension on a direct basis due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange. The Veteran's hypertension was related to his military service and the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) report supports this finding.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding secondary service connection for sleep apnea, specifically addressing causation and aggravation.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since September 27, 2014. The Veteran's headaches are rated at 50 percent since June 17, 2019. The Veteran's tinnitus is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, and systemic arthritis due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension and bilateral hernias have been dismissed. The previously denied claims of service connection for DJD of the thoracic/lumbar spine, bilateral knees, prostatitis, and GERD have been reopened due to new evidence. Service connection is granted for DJD of the thoracic/lumbar spine, cervical spine, left knee, and right knee.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and the issues of rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine disability, service connection for multiple sclerosis, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and service connection for hypertension are remanded.