Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence being added to the record after a Substantive Appeal was filed. The VA treatment records detailing the Veteran's treatment for her claimed conditions are relevant and must be reviewed.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded several claims, including those for initial compensable ratings for bilateral dry eye disorder and tension headaches, service connection for various conditions, and a VA examination is required to address the etiology of hypertension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type II due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hypertension with chronic kidney disease, bilateral plantar fasciitis, right knee tendonitis, left knee damaged meniscus, and right knee instability, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder condition, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of medical examination records. The Veteran served in active duty from December 1981 to May 1982 and January 1986 to April 1990.

The Board finds that additional development is needed before the claims for higher evaluations can be adjudicated on the merits. The Veteran has submitted new evidence since the March 2015 Statement of the Case, and this evidence must be considered by the AOJ.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new medical opinion regarding whether his hypertension is caused or aggravated by his service-connected coronary artery disease or diabetes mellitus, type 2.

The Veteran's headaches, hypertension, and skin disability are all remanded for further examination and opinion. The Board will consider service connection on the merits.

The Board has denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for his service-connected disabilities and remanded several issues including an initial increased rating for hypothyroidism, service connection for a psychiatric disorder secondary to his thyroid condition, and TDIU. The claims are being returned to the RO for additional development.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran’s claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension. The Veteran's hypertension may be related to his presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam, but this needs further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's hypertension and PTSD are granted as service-connected.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right finger disability, cervical spine disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, heart disability (to include coronary artery disease), hypertension, high cholesterol, melanoma, diabetes mellitus, headaches, and acquired psychiatric disability (to include anxiety).

The claims of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, a nervous condition, lumbar spine disability, hypertension, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome have been dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, right bicep tenosynovitis, carpal tunnel syndrome (right wrist), and high cholesterol. The decision also granted a higher initial rating of 10 percent for a left eyebrow scar.

The Board has remanded the cases of hypertension and skin rash of the feet, hands, and face due to insufficient evidence regarding their relationship to service. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents is not considered in determining these claims.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of all extremities, an eye disorder, hemorrhoids, and a prostate disorder as secondary to herbicide exposure. The claims were remanded for further examination regarding cervical spine and lumbar spine disorders.

The Board dismissed the claim of service connection for a compound fracture of the right leg as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision. The other claims are remanded due to new evidence received since the February 2014 Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to potential exposure to ionizing radiation in service, and for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's hypertension and cardiomyopathy are granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus and PTSD.,PTSD is granted with a 100 percent rating throughout the appeal period.