The Board has remanded the claim of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for hypertension, which is now considered secondary to service-connected MDD with PTSD, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, and/or migraines. The Veteran's hypertension claim is inextricably intertwined with his pending claims for service connection for back disorder and headaches.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran raised a claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension as secondary to his back disorder and/or headaches, which are now considered service-connected. As such, the hypertension claim is remanded for further development including obtaining an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative joint disease and/or migraines.
- Claimed conditions
- hypertension, major depressive disorder (MDD) with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, migraines
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 16, 2022
- Citation
- 22046431
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 22046431.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines was reopened due to new evidence. Service connection is granted for painful scars, but the rating assigned remains at 10 percent. The claims for fibromyalgia and bilateral shoulder disability are denied.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.