Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) was dismissed as the AOJ had already granted it in a September 2024 rating decision. The claims for flat feet, prediabetes, dehydration, acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, right toe disability, disability associated with painful urination, and erectile dysfunction were denied due to lack of evidence showing their onset during service or being related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea is found to be a contributing factor in the development of his gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The Board also finds that obesity, which may serve as an intermediate step between a service-connected disability and a current disability for secondary service connection purposes, was caused by his service-connected PTSD and obstructive sleep apnea associated with PTSD. As such, the Veteran's hypertension is found to be at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's gastric ulcer with erosive gastroduodenitis is granted an initial 20 percent rating.,Other service connection claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding records and duty to assist omissions.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted an initial rating of 10 percent. The Board finds that the Veteran requires continuous medication to control his hypertension, with diastolic pressure below 100 and systolic pressure above or below 160. His right and left ankle disabilities are remanded for further review.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions as the November 2020 AOJ letter was not an appealable decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, hemorrhoids, erectile dysfunction, reoccurring rash on face and ears, toenail fungus, and athletes' foot have all been denied. The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of these conditions in the record.,Specifically, the Board determined that the evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to active service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors and to provide the Veteran with a comprehensive examination for his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to be less than 30 degrees or have manifested favorable ankylosis.,Service connection for rhinitis (sinus condition) was granted, effective from April 2023.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for glaucoma, hypertension, neuropathy, and a skin disease are being remanded due to the VA not considering relevant evidence from internet articles that discuss potential herbicide exposure on Okinawa before it was transferred to Johnston Island.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on four conditions (hearing loss, hypertension, other specified depressive disorder with substance use disorder, and PTSD due to military sexual trauma) has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's hypertension was denied a compensable rating for the period prior to August 2, 2021. From August 2, 2021, an increased rating of 10 percent but no higher was granted.,Chronic kidney disease did not meet criteria for any specific rating level as it has not resulted in a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) score of 59 mL/min/1.73 m² or lower, required regular dialysis, or made the Veteran an eligible candidate for transplant.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for further review, specifically whether it is at least as likely as not caused by or secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is related to exposure to herbicide agents during his deployment in Taiwan. A new examination is needed to determine if there is a link between the Veteran's hypertension and his exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's BPH with LUTS is being remanded due to the inadequate opinion provided by the VA examiner. The examiner did not address direct service connection or whether the condition was aggravated by a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded because the VA examiner's opinion does not include direction and aggravation opinions, nor does it consider the medical evidence of record in light of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his right knee strain.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error regarding hypertension. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of hypertension has been dismissed due to their passing during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, Anxiety Disorder, High Blood Pressure, and Tinnitus. The rating for his unspecified depressive disorder with unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder was reduced from 70% to 50%, effective August 1, 2022.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining VA opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension and considering her service-connected residuals of left and right tibial stress fractures and unspecified anxiety disorder and depressive disorder.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is considered caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions, including PTSD, migraine headaches, hypertension, right wrist sprain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, asthma, lumbar degenerative disc disease, GERD, and IBS.