Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Veteran's GERD and hypertension have been granted increased ratings, with a 30 percent rating for GERD and a 10 percent rating for hypertension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for kidney stones, finding that an addendum opinion is needed to address whether his kidney stones are proximately due or the result of his service-connected disabilities. The issues include determining if the Veteran's kidney stones have been aggravated by his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, bowel and gastrointestinal conditions, hepatitis C in remission, sinusitis, allergies (allergic rhinitis), skin disability (eczema, dermatitis, or lichen planus), unspecified joint pains, generalized degenerative arthritis, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, back disability, right lower extremity disability, left lower extremity disability, right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, left wrist disability, and finger condition for further development.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted service connection and rated at 20 percent. The right ankle tendonitis remains at a 20 percent rating, but the neck disability is granted an initial rating of 10 percent.

The Board has granted reopening of service connection for right foot pes planus and left foot pes planus, finding that the pre-existing conditions increased in severity during service. Service connection is also granted for back disability (arthritis), right wrist arthritis, left wrist arthritis, right ankle arthritis, left ankle arthritis, tinnitus, and bilateral ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension due to potential errors in service connection, need for additional medical opinions, and further clarification of the evidence.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and adenocarcinoma of the colon are granted service connection due to exposure to burn pits during his service in Southwest Asia. The mixed germ cell tumor of the right testis is also granted service connection under the PACT Act, which grants presumptive service connection for certain conditions related to exposure to environmental toxins.,The Veteran's hypertension issue has been remanded and will require further review by VA.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination. The issues include bulging discs, sleep apnea, arthritis of hands and knees, hypertension, and diabetic neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type II (diabetes), left knee disability, right knee disability, diverticulitis, obstructive sleep apnea, and benign prostate hypertrophy due to inadequate examination opinions and failure to provide ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA dates.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (other than right upper hemiparesis) has been reopened due to new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for further medical examinations and consideration of additional evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board granted a TDIU rating based on this finding.

The Board found that the reduction of the disability rating for hypertension from 60 percent to 10 percent, effective July 1, 2017, was proper and denied restoration of a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and hypertension were denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service onset or aggravation, and the VA examiner did not find that the current conditions are due to military service.

The Board has restored the Veteran's SMC benefits from March 13, 2017 due to improper severance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current residuals from a head injury, and his bilateral hearing loss is not related to service. The case is being remanded for further examination regarding his knee strain and hypertension.,The Veteran's service-connected hypertension is also being remanded for an updated rating determination.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his hepatitis C claim was granted. His heart condition and diabetes mellitus type II claims were remanded for further review.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for dizziness and vertigo, hypertension, and a skin disorder. The case will be remanded to obtain new VA medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain a TERA examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's hypertension, including as due to diesel fuel exhaust exposure during service. The examiner must consider all applicable military deployments and toxic exposure activities of the Veteran.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it is secondary to his service-connected varicose veins. The decision resolves doubt in favor of the Veteran.