Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, chronic diarrhea (claimed as irritable bowel syndrome), and sleep apnea. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service or secondary to his service-connected schizoaffective disorder.

The Veteran's bilateral foot plantar warts with contact dermatitis are rated as noncompensable due to the lack of more than topical therapy affecting at least 5% of the entire body or exposed areas.,New and material evidence has not been received to reopen claims for service connection for hypertension and ischemic heart disease (previously heart condition).

The Veteran's claims for an initial rating for a bilateral hearing loss disability and service connection for hypertension, heart condition, skin condition, ear cellulitis (resolved), and otitis externa are being remanded due to the need for additional development of her VA medical records and clarification of her periods of active duty.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded as there is a lack of an adequate examination report. The examiner did not consider the Veteran’s assertion that her hypertension was caused by stress during active duty, nor did they provide an opinion on whether her hypertension aggravated preexisting conditions during periods of active duty.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for heart condition is being remanded as there is a lack of an adequate examination report. The examiner did not diagnose the Veteran with a heart condition and provided a negative nexus opinion based solely on the absence of a current diagnosis, without considering her symptoms or other evidence in the record.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for skin condition is being remanded as there are multiple inadequate examination reports. The September 2013 examiner did not diagnose any skin condition and indicated that no pathology was found during physical examinations, while the December 2015 and December 2017 examiners diagnosed intradermal nevi but failed to provide etiology opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for ear cellulitis (resolved) is being remanded as there are multiple inadequate examination reports. The September 2013 examiner did not diagnose any ear condition and indicated that the external ear, ear canal, and tympanic membrane were normal, while the December 2015 and December 2017 examiners diagnosed a history of external ear canal cellulitis but failed to provide etiology opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for otitis externa is being remanded as there are multiple inadequate examination reports. The September 2013 examiner did not diagnose any ear condition and indicated that the external ear, ear canal, and tympanic membrane were normal, while the December 2015 and December 2017 examiners diagnosed a history of external ear canal cellulitis but failed to provide etiology opinions.

The Board dismissed the claim of service connection for bilateral elbow tendonitis because the Veteran did not file a timely substantive appeal. The Board granted service connection for hypertension, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension due to exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including fractures of the wrists and ankles, a foot disorder, hypertension, lacerations to fingers and palms, and a skin condition. The decision states that there is no current evidence of these conditions during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, as well as a medical opinion describing the severity of his left shoulder disorder with scar and retained metallic fragments. The issues of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and hypertension are also being remanded.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was granted ratings of 20 percent, but no higher, prior to August 21, 2019, and 40 percent, but no higher, from that date onward.,The Veteran’s nephrosclerosis with hypertension is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection, but his left ear hearing loss is denied. His hypertension due to herbicide exposure is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for cerebrovascular accidents and service connection for lightheadness are dismissed. A 10 percent rating is granted for hypertension, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death. The Board cannot adjudicate the merits of this appeal as they have no jurisdiction.

The Veteran's depressive disorder was rated at 30% prior to January 30, 2012 and granted a 70% rating effective January 30, 2012.,Service connection for sleep apnea, atrial fibrillation, and hypertension secondary to residuals of left knee injury with arthritis is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the issues of Bell’s palsy, residuals of a removal of a malignant growth, hyperparathyroidism, kidney stones, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is dismissed. Service connection for hypertension is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension due to a lack of evidence regarding his exposure to herbicide agents or contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The case is returned for further development.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and hypertension, as well as an increased rating for left knee disability. The case is REMANDED to schedule new examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to privacy request issues and missing VA medical records from 1990 to 1997. The claims for bilateral knee pain, lumbar spine spondylosis and degenerative disc disease, and an earlier effective date are also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his lumbar and lower extremity conditions, necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance of another person. As a result, SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and adjudication due to issues related to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, including potential exposure to herbicide agents in the territorial waters of Vietnam. The VA is also directed to issue a Statement of the Case on the claim for survivor’s pension benefits.

The Veteran's claims for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, hypertension, back disability, right shin splint disorder, left shin splint disorder, ingrown toenails, seizure disorder, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), and bilateral ear keratosis obturans have all been denied.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for the right middle finger laceration scar has been granted.

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for atrial fibrillation and an increased rating for residuals of post-stroke. The Veteran's hypertension is denied a higher rating, and the effective date for prostate cancer service connection remains February 9, 2017.