Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for hypertension and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, as secondary to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals regarding the increased rating for PTSD, service connection for tinnitus, and service connection for hypertension.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic renal failure, headaches, left knee joint osteoarthritis, right knee scars, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. The AOJ must obtain any outstanding records from SSA and private providers, as well as VA treatment records. A new VA examination is also required for each of these conditions to ensure an accurate assessment.

The Board has granted reopening of the previously denied claims for service connection for hypertension and tinea pedis, but denied reopening of the claim for morbid obesity with reduced vital capacity. The Veteran's asthma is rated at 30 percent, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus prior to June 25, 2014 is rated at 10 percent, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus prior to June 25, 2014 is rated at 10 percent, and diabetic nephropathy is rated at 100 percent. The claims for increased ratings are all denied.

The Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder are granted. The Veteran’s petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus is remanded.

The petition to reopen service connection for removal of papillomatous lesions on the lip and right axilla, as well as hypertension, is denied. Service connection for diabetes mellitus is also denied.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent and denied an increased rating.,The Veteran's hemorrhoids are currently rated as noncompensable (zero percent) and denied an increased rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, which is granted for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the aid and attendance rate.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including back and knee disabilities, hearing loss, sleep apnea, and hypertension. The examination is required for these cases due to conflicting medical opinions and lack of recent medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's acute renal failure, diabetes mellitus, or hypertension were related to service, including exposure to benzene. The issues include determining if these conditions are service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with MDD was denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension were both remanded, as there is no presumptive basis based on Agent Orange exposure.

Service connection for kidney disease, gout, sleep apnea (SA), and hypertension are granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. A rating higher than 20 percent for DMII is remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for low back disorder, viral disorder, bilateral eye disorder, bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, and right testicle disorder. The claims for bruxism and hypertension have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus Type II is reopened. The Board has also remanded the claims for service connection for soft tissue sarcoma of the chest, arms and back due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral localized degenerative joint disease with bruxism and service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) has ordered the Board to remand the case due to an error in determining the Veteran's exposure to herbicides during his service in Panama. The CAVC found that the Board incorrectly stated there were no duty assignments in Panama and thus wrongfully concluded the Veteran was not exposed to herbicides.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for further medical evaluation and opinion regarding the etiology of his conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension has not been evaluated at a higher rating since 2016. The Board is remanding the case to obtain updated treatment records and schedule the Veteran for an examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for renal condition, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral pes planus, lumbar degenerative disc disease, and bilateral knee disabilities have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence.,These issues are being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to make a determination on their merits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, COPD, and myocardial infarction, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure or a link between these conditions and his military service.