Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and a higher rating for thoracic spine disability due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in a previous VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service, specifically herbicide and combat exposures. The Veteran also contends that his PTSD may be contributing to his hypertension.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals in all matters, including service connection for variously diagnosed skin condition, residuals of a right forearm and elbow GSW, systemic arthritis, COPD, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and PTSD.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hypertension due to new evidence indicating Agent Orange exposure. Service connection is granted for dependent edema of bilateral upper extremities, but denied for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, TIA with expressive aphasia, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and OCD) as the evidence did not show these conditions began during a period of active duty or were otherwise related to military service.,Specifically, the Board found that there was no evidence showing that the Appellant's current disabilities had their onset during periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA). The Appellant's STRs are unavailable and he did not provide any records from his in-service treatment. He also could not specify when his disabilities began.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including cervical spine disability, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, hypertension, sinusitis, asthma, bronchitis, arthritis, and joint pain. The decision was based on lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the cases of COPD, sleep apnea, hypertension, congestive heart failure, and diabetes mellitus, type II for further inquiry into the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents while stationed in Korea.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of hypertension during service, which is a prerequisite for establishing service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, major depressive disorder, and hypertensive vascular disease (hypertension and isolated systolic hypertension). The claim for reopening of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination addendum opinion regarding his sleep disability, which may be related to service-connected hypertension and PTSD.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and heart disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to incomplete records and verification of his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type 2 (diabetes), obstructive sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes, hypertension as secondary to diabetes, and renal dysfunction as secondary to diabetes are all granted. The Board found the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for breathing problems, a spot on the lung, high blood pressure, irritable bowel syndrome, and acid reflux. The issues are inextricably intertwined with his claim for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension, as it is unclear whether the Veteran's preexisting hypertension was aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II (DM), hypertension, and obesity were denied as they are not related to his military service or exposure to Agent Orange, lead, PCB or other chemicals.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, GERD, voiding dysfunction due to implant surgery associated with erectile dysfunction, PTSD, and TDIU as part of the increased rating issues. The Veteran is asked to provide updated VA treatment records and complete a VA Form 21-8940. He is also scheduled for VA examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected as his heart disease and hypertension were not linked to any incident during active service, and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for back disorder (claimed as arthritis), eye disorder, hearing loss, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted in some cases, but denied on the merits. The decisions are mixed as to whether certain conditions are related to service.