Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's hypertension was not related to his service, as it first manifested many years after separation from active duty.,Right foot pes planus and left foot pes planus were not diagnosed or treated during the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's asthma is granted as service-connected. The claims for hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (likely depression), and left knee sprain are remanded.

The Board has remanded the appellant's claims for hypertension, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, type II, heart disability, and arteriosclerosis obliterans due to unavailability of service treatment records and personnel records. The VA is required to schedule the appellant for appropriate examinations to determine the probable nature, date(s) of initial onset, and etiology/etiologies of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew all active appeals regarding the service connection issues listed in his May 18, 2022 Notice of Disagreement. The appeal is dismissed as withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the claims for earlier effective dates due to conflicting evidence regarding the Veteran's service exposure and the need to verify the vessel's position on or near April 5, 1969. The appeal is based on presumptive exposure under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for hypertension was granted, as new and material evidence has been received. The condition is now claimed as secondary to kidney, colon, and/or prostate cancer.,The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for erectile dysfunction was granted, as new and material evidence has been received. The condition is now claimed as secondary to kidney, colon, and/or prostate cancer.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the prior Board remand directives and has therefore remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hypertension and diabetes mellitus, have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment since June 23, 2014.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent. The Board finds that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for PTSD, hypertension, prostate cancer residuals, and a surgical scar status post-prostatectomy was denied. The initial rating for PTSD remains at 50 percent.

The Board has denied service connection for gallbladder disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, cirrhosis, and kidney disease as secondary to PTSD. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 0 percent, as the evidence does not show it meets or approximates the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's chronic sinusitis is rated at 0 percent, as he has experienced no incapacitating episodes in the past year and his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted a 10 percent disability rating, but no higher. The decision is based on the Veteran's need for continuous medication to control his blood pressure.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding a proposed reduction in disability ratings for hypertension and RLE sciatic nerve radiculopathy.,The Board also dismissed the appeal regarding entitlement to a higher rating for LLE sciatic nerve radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for service-connected hypertension was denied. The Board also found that there is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder, and thus remanded this issue.

The Board has restored the previously assigned 10 percent evaluations for GERD, hypertension, and vocal cord dysfunction status post cyst removal. The Veteran's service-connected conditions have not shown actual improvement in their severity during the period at issue.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant as they do not result in anatomical loss, blindness, or significant functional impairment that would qualify under the applicable regulations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between her current condition and her military service. The Board also found that secondary service connection for hypertension due to her service-connected depression with anxiety cannot be granted as there is insufficient evidence linking the hypertension to her psychiatric disability.,The Board has remanded the issue of secondary service connection for hypertension, finding that an addendum opinion from a medical professional is needed to address whether the Veteran's hypertension was caused or aggravated by her service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's hypertension is being reviewed for its likely etiology, including whether it is related to service-connected disabilities such as throat cancer, obstructive sleep apnea, or anxiety disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection must be remanded again due to insufficient information regarding his in-service exposure to herbicide agents and further development is needed for examinations related to his claimed disabilities.