Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, asthma, COPD, gout, and right ankle disability due to further development being required.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding exposure to herbicide agents and ionizing radiation, as well as an inadequate medical opinion on whether any current liver disability is related to service. The VA will need to obtain additional treatment records, verify claimed exposures, and provide a new medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service in Thailand. The Veteran's current conditions are considered at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied for various conditions, including PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (including dementia), diabetes mellitus type II, prostate cancer, hypertension, a heart disorder (coronary artery disease, status post stent placement), a circulatory disorder, bilateral eye disorders (right eye blindness, double vision in the left eye, cataracts), lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, peripheral neuropathy of each extremity, radiculopathy of each extremity, and myelomalacia. The Board found that there was no evidence to support these claims.,The Veteran's service connection claims were denied for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (including dementia), diabetes mellitus type II, prostate cancer, hypertension, a heart disorder (coronary artery disease, status post stent placement), a circulatory disorder, bilateral eye disorders (right eye blindness, double vision in the left eye, cataracts), lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, peripheral neuropathy of each extremity, radiculopathy of each extremity, and myelomalacia.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for asthma, left ventricular hypertrophy, and hypertension have been denied. The VA has determined that the current levels of disability do not warrant higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a dermatological disorder, hypertension, and lung disorder due to incomplete private medical records. The appellant is required to provide any authorized treatment records from Holy Cross Hospital, Dr. C.L.K., and Dr. T.R.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and right hip disability to obtain additional medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is presumed to be related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and OSA as there is insufficient evidence to resolve these issues. The Veteran's service records do not show any diagnosis or treatment for hypertension, but his wife reported high blood pressure upon entrance. For OSA, the Veteran contends symptoms began during service and continued after separation. The VA examiners' opinions are conflicting on whether the conditions pre-existed service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hypertension may be related to his service-connected psychiatric disability, but needs further examination and opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, Hypertension, and Thyroid Disorder due to additional development needed. The issues of service connection are related as they involve overlapping conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is rated at 20 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's diabetic sensory peripheral neuropathy (PN) of the lower extremities is currently rated at 40 percent each for the right and left legs. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to lack of marked muscular atrophy.

The Board denied service connection for prostate disability, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension as there was no evidence of a nexus to service or within the first post-service year.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, but the issue of service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for abdominal aneurism was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the Board found that his abdominal aneurism did not have its onset in, or is otherwise related to service including as a result of presumed exposure to herbicide agents.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for high blood pressure as a result of exposure to herbicide agents was remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the pre-existing condition may have been aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left hamstring disorder, and seizure disorder have been dismissed. The claim for hypertension has been granted with a current rating of 100 percent from July 31, 2016. The issue of an initial rating higher than 10 percent for right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, rheumatic arthritis, and back disability due to insufficient development. The Veteran must provide additional evidence or undergo further examination.

The Veteran's diabetes and hypertension are service-connected because they were caused by weight gain due to their service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, gout, renal failure, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient competent medical evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to a failure to schedule VA examinations as directed in previous remands. The Veteran is advised that if a VA examination is scheduled, a failure to report may result in denial of his claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and service. The Veteran is still seeking service connection for this condition.