Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection, evaluations for various conditions, and effective dates. The specific details of each issue are not provided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and acquired psychiatric disorder are related to his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss or tinnitus disorder related to his military service, and there is insufficient evidence to establish a connection between his hypertension, heart disease, and erectile dysfunction with his military service.

The Veteran's hypertension was not found to be service-connected due to lack of evidence linking it to his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents. Service connection for the other conditions were also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's bicuspid aortic valve, hypertension, and any other heart disease found.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 70 percent for PTSD, effective from the date of the grant of service connection. The Veteran's PTSD is currently productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's initial ratings for hypertension and coronary artery disease were denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for hypertension and scars of the sternum and under the left arm are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and updated medical records.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and congestive heart failure due to insufficient analysis of McLendon criteria, and because there is evidence indicating that these conditions may be related to service. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the issue of service connection for hypertension, including as secondary to sleep apnea. As a result, this issue is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (hypertension and myocardial infarction status post coronary artery bypass grafting) are found to be so severe that they prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II; hypertension; and peripheral neuropathy of his hands and feet. The evidence did not show any in-service exposure to herbicides or other potential causative factors.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and coronary artery disease to obtain a medical opinion on whether his conditions are related to service-connected disabilities, specifically vascular headaches. The heart disorder claim is inextricably intertwined with the hypertension claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a heart disorder and/or hypertension, finding that there is no current evidence of these conditions and that any existing hypertension was not related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge, and there is no evidence linking his current condition to service. The VA examiners concluded that the Veteran's hypertension was more likely due to weight gain rather than any medication related to his left knee disability.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for upper back or cervical spine disability and hypertension. The Board finds that additional medical opinions are needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.,VA examinations should be scheduled to assess whether the Veteran currently has an upper back or cervical spine disability, and if so, whether it is more likely than not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a chronic disability related to the claimed conditions and insufficient medical evidence to support the claims.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction was denied as there is no evidence of a penile deformity, which would be required for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Board is requesting additional VA records from Guam and will consider the claims again after receiving these records.