Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus, Type II. The cases are now remanded to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, as there is a reasonable possibility that he may be unemployable by reason of his service-connected conditions. The TDIU issue will now be referred to VA's Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's hypertension is not rated higher than noncompensable, as his blood pressure readings have consistently been below the threshold for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease does not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating. His disability has not resulted in forward flexion limited to 60 degrees or less or a combined range of motion (ROM) limited to 120 degrees or less, even considering functional loss.,Service connection was denied for diabetes mellitus and obstructive sleep apnea as there is no causal relationship between these conditions and service.,Service connection was also denied for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain missing service treatment records and VA treatment records, as well as to schedule the Veteran for a psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that additional relevant VA treatment records should be obtained and considered as part of the remand process. The Veteran is advised to provide any private or VA treatment records, including updated VA records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation as of December 13, 2022. His TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been granted from December 16, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for a VA examination to address whether his hypertension is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected heart condition, as well as its impact on his ability to work.

The Board denied service connection for a cognitive disorder, hypertension, and congenital cystic disease of the liver as there is no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding increased ratings and effective dates for various conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, degenerative arthritis of the spine, GERD, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, hypertension, vitiligo, tinnitus, anal fissures, a jaw disorder, and erectile dysfunction. The appeals are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a headache disability as secondary to service-connected hypertension and for an eye disability, including blurred vision and diplopia. The Veteran's eye disabilities are being examined to determine their relationship with service, service-connected conditions, and any aggravation by service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and hypertension prior to March 6, 2012 are denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than March 6, 2012, for service connection for a psychiatric disability is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for lymphoma has been withdrawn. The claims of diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension have been granted based on presumptive service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange).,Service connection for impotence is pending as it may be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension and a skin disability, including melanoma. The remand is due to the need for new medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability has been withdrawn. Service connection for hypertension is granted pursuant to the PACT Act, but the claim will be remanded for further development regarding other theories of entitlement.

The Veteran's Meniere's disease, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension have been granted service connection. The tinnitus has a maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, while the bilateral hearing loss is noncompensable.

Service connection for PTSD, hypertension (via PACT Act), and diabetes mellitus, Type II, has been granted.,The Veteran's service-connected conditions include PTSD, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, Type II.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a low back disability, a right knee disability, and sleep apnea as there is no persuasive evidence that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active service.

The appeals of the denial service connection for right side sciatica nerve pain and the initial ratings assigned for hypertension, left shoulder impingement syndrome, and right thumb tendonitis are dismissed. Entitlement to an initial 100 percent rating for PTSD with bruxism is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a chronic cervical strain is granted as his service connection is established due to the probative evidence linking it to his service.,The Veteran's claim for hypertension secondary to PTSD is also granted, supported by medical opinion and credible testimony.