Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to exposure at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. The Veteran's interstitial lung disease and COPD are being examined for a causal link to exposure to contaminated water and chemical gas in service. His hypertension is also being evaluated for a possible link to these exposures. Lastly, his bilateral lower extremity skin rash condition is being reviewed for a potential connection to the same exposures.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the bilateral hearing loss disability claim. The remaining claims for service connection are remanded due to lack of verification of National Guard service and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's heart disability (including coronary artery disease), hypertension, and acquired psychiatric disorder are granted as presumptively related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings of hypertension and PTSD, as well as his claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea secondary to PTSD. More contemporaneous examinations are needed to evaluate these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for depression and obstructive sleep apnea, both found to be aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities. The issues of increased ratings for left and right knee patellar tendonitis, service connection for supraventricular arrhythmia and high blood pressure are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spondylolisthesis, refractive error (now claimed as blurry vision), bilateral hearing loss, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus type 2, and a right eye injury. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, and insomnia due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions, including right knee disorder, bilateral eye disorder, low back disorder, bilateral flat feet, degenerative arthritis (arthritis throughout the body), left knee disorder, and hypertension have all been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is in remission and not currently causing renal dysfunction. His erectile dysfunction does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The Veteran has sleep impairment secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder, which is already considered under the current rating for his depressive disorder. No other conditions have been granted or denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, is related to his service. Service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea are also granted as they are considered direct service-connected based on their relationship to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's diabetes and hypertension claims need further investigation due to missing private treatment records, and requires a VA examination for both conditions.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected mood disorder. The claims for left hip, right hip, and audiological disabilities are denied due to lack of current disability or no evidence linking the conditions to service. The claim for a right ankle disability is denied because there is no evidence it began during service or is related to an in-service injury.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial evaluation of his various conditions, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, COPD, hypertension, prostate disorder, type II diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy, and anxiety disorder NOS.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection of atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, and pulmonary hypertension due to in-service asbestos exposure. The case is being sent back for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for another VA medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his military service, including herbicide exposure.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied service connection claim for hypertension and granted service connection. Service connection was also granted for polyneuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome of both upper extremities, which are related to his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The diabetes mellitus, eye condition, hypertension, and respiratory disorder claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any heart disability, hypertension, peptic ulcer disease, kidney disability, or radiculopathy. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Veteran's sinusitis and hypertension have been granted initial ratings. The hearing loss claim has been remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, and PAT due to incomplete examination reports. The Veteran's lay statements regarding symptoms during service are also considered.