Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board has granted a TDIU from October 29, 2007 and remanded the SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran was not previously service-connected for any conditions, but his diabetes mellitus is related to his active service and led or contributed to his cause of death.

The Board has remanded the cases of hypertension and CMML for a VA clinician to provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during service. The opinions must consider the updated classification of hypertension from 'limited or suggestive' to 'sufficient' evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type II as a result of herbicide exposure are granted. The remaining issues (peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorder, and bilateral hearing loss) are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent effective July 23, 2019. The initial ratings for hypertension and bilateral foot disabilities remain unchanged.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for tinnitus, residuals of right-shoulder rotator cuff surgery, and left shoulder condition were granted. Claims for disorder manifested by sleep issues, hypertension, radiculopathy of the LLE, radiculopathy of the RLE, lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis, and spinal stenosis, as well as PTSD, are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus due to insufficient opinions regarding secondary service connection. The Veteran should be afforded new VA examinations to address these issues.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and CVA due to new evidence received since the March 2003 rating decision. The claim for hypertension is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other two issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypothyroidism and hypertension due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as an addendum opinion addressing the etiology of his thyroid disorder and hypertension.

Service connection for hypertension is granted.,The Veteran's heart disease claim is remanded due to conflicting medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's onychomycosis of the feet was not rated compensable since October 27, 2014 due to lack of involvement affecting more than 5% of total body area or exposed areas and no systemic therapy required.,The Veteran's hypertension did not meet criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent since October 27, 2014 as diastolic pressure was less than 110 and systolic pressure was less than 200.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension and tinea versicolor are being remanded due to the submission of additional evidence. The effective dates for service connection need to be determined.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type 2, hypertension, macular degeneration, kidney disease, and bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran is also remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his hypertension, macular degeneration, kidney disease, and bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and hypertension as secondary to herbicide exposure during active duty in Korea. The evidence did not establish herbicide exposure or a link between the conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus and hypertension as secondary to service-connected PTSD due to a lack of adequate rationale in the September 2019 VA opinion regarding whether obesity caused by PTSD is an intermediate step between PTSD and these conditions.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's death was caused by or made worse by his service-connected conditions, including exposure to burn pits in Southwest Asia. The VA examiner’s opinion regarding these issues is inadequate and additional medical opinion is necessary.

The Board has denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.,Service connection is remanded for pulmonary hypertension and lumbar spine disorder as there are insufficient opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's tinnitus, headaches, and pharyngitis were not found to be related to service. The Board also remanded the issues of diabetes mellitus, type II, and hypertension due to potential in-service asbestos exposure.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, and hypertension was denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claims for service connection for PTSD, depression with sleep impairment, and sleep apnea. The claim for hypertension was denied as no additional evidence related to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.