Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete reviews of his medical records and failure to verify stressor events. The Veteran will need to provide additional evidence or undergo further examinations.

The Board has denied the readjudication of the claim for service connection for hypertension as no new and relevant evidence was submitted since the previous denial in August 2021.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and procedural errors, including a lack of VA examination for left leg and knee disabilities and inadequate medical opinions regarding hypertension.

The Veteran's hypertension was diagnosed shortly after service and has been treated continuously since then. The Board granted service connection for hypertension based on the continuity of symptoms.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for sleep apnea due to untimeliness. The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, asthma, sinusitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hypertension, headaches, bilateral plantar fasciitis, sciatica, right knee disability, left knee disability, and an acquired psychiatric disability were denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus (DMII), skin rash, infection, cardiomyopathy, fluid around the heart, mesothelioma, and PTSD. The AOJ is required to verify the Veteran's exposure to toxins, including asbestos, and herbicide agents during his active service.

The appeals for service connection for hypertension and chronic kidney disease are dismissed because the Veteran's notices of disagreement were not timely filed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since June 1, 2013.,Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits arose on June 1, 2013.

The Veteran's hypertension, ischemic heart disease (coronary artery disease), diabetes mellitus type 2, and bilateral hearing loss are all granted as they are presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during service.,Service connection for OSA, an acquired psychiatric disability, and erectile dysfunction is also granted.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD, as secondary to his service-connected hypertension, should be remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding aggravation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis and Hypertension due to duty-to-assist errors. Further examination is required to determine if these conditions are related to his service-connected disabilities or incurred in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities from June 24, 2010 to June 14, 2016 precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee condition, right knee condition, left foot condition, and right foot condition as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected back disability. The Board also granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 and hypertension as secondary to his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension has been granted due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The claims for left knee and hip disabilities are being remanded.,Service connection is granted for a left knee disability based on continuity of symptomatology since active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to initial compensable rating for service-connected hypertension, prior to September 14, 2020; a higher rating for diabetes mellitus type II; and TDIU prior to October 12, 2021. The effective dates are not addressed in this decision.

The Board has identified errors in the prior decision and has ordered remand for further investigation into the Veteran's claimed service exposure to herbicide agents, particularly during his TDY assignments in Vietnam. The issues of diabetes mellitus type II, Parkinson's disease, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, Meniere's disease, aortic and vein disability, left lower diabetic peripheral neuropathy, right lower diabetic peripheral neuropathy, sleep apnea, and vertigo are all remanded for further review.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, and now that service connection for PTSD is granted, it's appropriate to consider whether hypertension is secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating and a reduction in his disability rating is dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on appeal are being remanded due to procedural errors and the need for further development regarding exposure to herbicide agents, asbestos, and hazardous chemicals. The Board will also obtain medical opinions to determine if the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service duties.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted with an effective date of January 3, 2018. His Dependents' Educational Assistance eligibility is also granted from the same date.