Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for COPD and hypertension, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension clearly and unmistakably preexisted service.

Service connection is granted for hypertension and inguinal hernia. Service connection is denied for hemorrhoids.,The Veteran's hearing loss pain is remanded to determine its etiology, and the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and/or anxiety) is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and an increased rating for ischemic heart disease (coronary artery disease) were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for either condition, as there was no evidence of their onset in-service or within one year following separation from service. The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection for various conditions, including kidney condition, GERD, thyroid disease, diabetes mellitus type II, nicotine dependency, hepatitis C and its residuals, peripheral artery disease, opioid dependency, hypertension (also claimed as high blood pressure), chronic back condition as secondary to multiple myeloma, COPD, multiple myeloma, coronary artery disease (CAD), erectile dysfunction, and chronic anemia. The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's current respiratory disorder is not related to service. The cervical spine, hypertension, and gastrointestinal disorders are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to June 15, 2017 was denied as the combined rating of his service-connected conditions did not meet the criteria for an extraschedular TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, hypertension, and other conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence or clarification. The effective dates for some of his service-connected disabilities remain unresolved.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and bilateral hearing loss due to non-compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding his ability to work.

The Board has remanded four issues related to the Veteran's claims: initial compensable rating for hypertension, service connection for a respiratory disorder (claimed as asthma), service connection for residuals of a right shoulder acromioclavicular separation, and service connection for a right knee disorder. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional treatment records and provide an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's right shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion to address whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to service or secondary to his service-connected hypertension and PTSD, as well as if it is aggravated by these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and acid reflux. The issues of increased rating for PTSD prior to June 11, 2020, and in excess of 70 percent after June 11, 2020, are remanded.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected as the cause of death listed on his death certificate (possible aspiration due to advanced dementia) is not related to service or a service-connected disability. The claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been denied. The Board finds that the stressor event could not be corroborated, and thus there is no evidence of a nexus between the claimed in-service stressor and the current diagnosis of PTSD. The claims for hypertension and erectile dysfunction are remanded due to insufficient development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, finding that it did not onset in or within a year of service and was not caused by his service-connected hypertension and/or arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

The Veteran's asthma claim has been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the hypertension, arthritis of the bilateral hands, and arthritis of the bilateral feet claims for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder other than residuals of coarctation of the aorta, to include hypertension, coronary artery disease, hypercholesterolemia, aortic valve disease, and left ventricular hypertrophy; and for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for surgical residuals of coarctation of the aorta. The remand requires additional development including obtaining expert medical opinions on heart disorders other than residuals of coarctation of the aorta.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety and depressive disorder, as well as secondary service connection for hypertension. The decision is based on evidence that supports a finding of a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including evaluations and service connection determinations. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also being remanded to consider additional factors.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and atrial fibrillation due to potential exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The case is being returned for further development, including obtaining medical opinions on the nature and etiology of these conditions.