Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Veteran's groin condition with scar is being remanded due to inadequate VA examination findings.,The Veteran's cerebral hemangioblastoma residuals with scar are being remanded due to inadequate VA examination findings and the need for a toxic exposure screening.,The Veteran's pancreatitis, GERD, and cervical spine disability are being remanded as they are intertwined with his cerebral hemangioblastoma claim on appeal.,The Veteran's OSA is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination addressing obesity as an intermediate step.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is being remanded due to inadequate VA examination findings and the need for a VA examination addressing obesity as an intermediate step.,The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's lymph node condition is being remanded due to the need for a VA toxic exposure screening.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension on a presumptive basis under the PACT Act, but denied it on a direct basis due to lack of evidence linking it to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as due to herbicide exposure under the PACT Act. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, obstructive sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis/sinusitis (claimed as allergies and allergy/sinusitis), and tinnitus are being remanded due to new evidence received since previous decisions.,The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received sufficient to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating, including obtaining missing service treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to anxiety disorder, hypertension, and other disabilities.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has decided to vacate the April 2023 decision denying service connection for tinnitus due to an intent to file a claim for hypertension within one year of receiving the intent to file. The tinnitus claim is inextricably intertwined with the hypertension claim, so it will be remanded until both claims are adjudicated.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in the previous decision, including an inadequate VA medical opinion and failure to consider lay statements. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is believed to have caused or contributed to his death by causing him to refuse hospitalization prior to his death.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and gout, finding no evidence of direct causation or exposure to herbicide agents during active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea but has remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for hypertension and a rating in excess of 10 percent for a lumbar spine disability are denied due to failure to report for VA examinations. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is remanded as the record requires an opinion on whether it is related to service.

The Board has determined that the appeals for service connection for bilateral ankle disability, vision disability, hearing loss, and initial compensable rating for hypertension are timely. The claims will be remanded to further adjudicate these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's long history of elevated blood pressure since service constitutes a continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of evidence indicating a current cardiovascular disability. The examiner is asked to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran currently has a cardiovascular disability, and if so, its onset during service or causation by service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is denied as there is no evidence of a hearing loss disability for VA purposes during his active service or within one year after separation. The hypertension and erectile dysfunction claims are remanded to obtain medical records and provide the Veteran with a VA examination.

The Veteran's unauthorized non-VA medical expenses incurred at UAMC on July 3, 2018 were reimbursed because the treatment was for an adjudicated service-connected disability and the services were for emergency treatment of a condition that would have been hazardous to life or health if delayed.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for idiopathic microscopic hematuria, hypertension, left elbow condition, bilateral conjunctivitis of the eyes, and bilateral Achilles tendonitis have been dismissed. The appeal for service connection for PFB has been granted. The appeals for service connection for bilateral knee disability, bilateral shin splints, bilateral foot disability (including pes planus and plantar fasciitis), and allergies (including allergic rhinitis) are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, service connection for pancreatitis and gall bladder disability, and TDIU due to conflicting medical evidence and need for additional opinions.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection due to environmental exposures during his Southwest Asia service. The issues include muscle and joint pain, hives, abnormal weight loss, nausea and constipation, sleep disturbances, neurological or neuropsychological disorder, and hypertension.

The Veteran's PTSD and nocturnal bruxism were granted service connection. The Veteran's high blood pressure claim is remanded for further development.,Service connection was established for PTSD and nocturnal bruxism, but the validity of the hypertension claim remains pending.