Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to incomplete records of his reserve service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypothyroidism, type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The appellant's in-service exposure to herbicide agents is suspected but not verified. A TERA examination will be scheduled if verification of exposure occurs.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of herbicide agent exposure during service and concluding that the condition is not related to military service.

The Board has reopened the claims for chronic kidney disease and hypertension, but these issues are being remanded to the AOJ for further adjudication.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for service-connected hypertension was denied as his diastolic and systolic blood pressure readings did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and obesity, as well as whether these conditions are related to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's hypertension is now presumed to be associated with his exposure to herbicide agents under the PACT Act, effective August 10, 2022. The Board has remanded for further examination and opinion regarding whether service connection should be granted before this date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for the conditions listed, with presumptive exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is denied as it was not incurred in or related to her active service.,The Veteran's back condition is denied as it is not caused by or aggravated by her left shoulder condition, and the Board finds that all reasonable doubt should be resolved in favor of the Veteran.,Service connection for hypertension is granted as it is aggravated by her service-connected left shoulder condition.

The Board has remanded the service connection for hypertension due to insufficient medical opinions. The claim for erectile dysfunction secondary to PTSD medication is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension, MGUS, PTSD, and service-connected conditions contributed to his death from pancreatic cancer. The VA must obtain addendum opinions addressing these issues.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate condition, erectile dysfunction, bilateral kidney condition, bilateral eye condition, and heart condition. The claims were also remanded for hypertension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar osteoarthritis, service connection for hypertension, service connection for a psychiatric disability, and service connection for headaches due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various musculoskeletal conditions, including PTSD, lower back condition, right and left knee conditions, left leg pain, and left ankle condition are remanded due to the need for further examination and evaluation. The effective date claim for PTSD is also remanded as it may be addressed in conjunction with other issues.

The Board has found that the evidence of record was inadequate at the time of the May 2022 rating decision and requires remand for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's hypertension.

The Veteran's PTSD with stimulant use disorder, cocaine, in sustained remission is rated at 50 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,There is no current right ankle disability for which service connection can be granted.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of September 30, 2008 for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).,The Veteran is also granted an effective date of September 30, 2008 for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and right knee limitation of flexion, but denied service connection for hypertension, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), an acquired psychiatric disorder, and sinusitis. The claims for these conditions are considered to be reopened due to the submission of new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU is being remanded due to the need to obtain certain medical records from VistA and private sources. The Board will review these records to determine if they support the Veteran's claim of unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for hypertension due to additional relevant medical evidence being received after the statement of the case was issued. The Veteran must be provided with a VA examination to consider the severity of his service-connected hypertension since December 2019.