Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected chronic kidney disease stage IV with nephrolithiasis and hypertension is granted an effective date of September 16, 2014 for a 80 percent evaluation. The appeal is denied for evaluations in excess of the assigned ratings.

The Board has remanded the cases for further evaluation due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the diagnosed conditions and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment from April 2, 2015. The Board found that the criteria for a TDIU were not met.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and diabetes due to a lack of VA examination. The Veteran contends that his current disabilities are related to military service, including asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, secondary to his service-connected anxiety disorder, has been granted. The Board found that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's hypertension was caused by his service connected anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's death was caused by CHF, severe pulmonary hypertension, and severe COPD. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected cold injury residuals contributed to his obesity, which in turn led to these conditions. Therefore, DIC benefits are granted based on service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hypothyroidism is dismissed because the Veteran did not file a notice of disagreement. The Veteran's hypertension, presumed due to herbicide exposure during service, is granted.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims for service connection can be adjudicated. The claims are remanded due to a lack of sufficient information in the record to decide the claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete notification of a previous rating decision, need for additional medical opinions regarding hypertension and bilateral knee disability, and need for SSA records.

The Veteran's death is being remanded due to the recent PACT Act changes, and a VA physician needs to determine if his hypertension contributed substantially or materially to cause his death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting information about the appellant's marriage status and a missing separation examination. The eligibility of the appellant as the surviving spouse needs to be determined, and the service treatment records need to be obtained.

The Board dismissed all claims except for service connection for hypertension, which was granted. The Veteran's PTSD prior to December 14, 2015, did not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his Vietnam service is presumed to be related to these conditions. The strokes are considered secondary to the now-service-connected hypertension.

The Board has decided to remand the service connection claims for left knee, right knee, carpal tunnel of upper extremities, cervical spine, second toe of right foot, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities. The decision is based on the need for additional private treatment records.

The Veteran's cause of death was not caused by a disability incurred or aggravated in service, including exposure to environmental hazards. The Board found that the Veteran's COPD and emphysema were more likely due to his long-term cigarette smoking than to any service-connected condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disease in service and no continuity of symptoms since service. The Board also found that the Veteran did not have a nexus between his current diagnosis of hypertension and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for myelodysplastic syndrome and hypertension, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active service or any period of ACDUTRA/INACDUTRA.

Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is granted.,Service connection for hypertension on a basis other than as pursuant to the PACT Act is granted. Service connection for hypertension under the PACT Act is remanded due to potential prior effective date issues.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity is granted.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is granted.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is granted.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is granted.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II is granted.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to assess the Veteran's need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, as it has been over five years since the last examination.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for COPD, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and hypertension. The appeal for service connection for hypertension is remanded due to its potential association with herbicide exposure.