Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for service connection for hypertension and an increased rating for diabetes mellitus. The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to address the current severity of his diabetes mellitus, as well as whether his hypertension is related to his diabetes or another service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, conduct necessary examinations, and ensure all development has been completed. The issues include seeking higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss and coronary artery disease, as well as service connection for a lung nodule and hypertension.

The Veteran's hypertension and bronchitis do not meet the criteria for higher initial ratings as they are currently rated. His blood pressure is well within the limits established for a 10 percent rating, and his pulmonary function tests have been normal.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and impotence, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claim for hypertension. The Veteran's current impotence is found not related to his service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for hypertension has been denied as his blood pressure readings have not met the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for colorectal cancer, coronary artery disease, and pulmonary hypertension as these conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by service.,A chronic disability resulting from an in-service measles infection was also denied as there is no evidence of such a condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated during service and is not otherwise related to service. The September 2013 VA examiner concluded it is less likely than not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's nephropathy, characterized as toxic nephropathy associated with diabetes mellitus, is now rated at 30 percent disabling effective February 4, 2013. His erectile dysfunction and hypertension are already service-connected.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder is found to be service-connected. The status of her hysterectomy, gastrointestinal disorder, hypertension, migraines, and sleep apnea claims are pending further medical evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for heart condition and hypertension were denied. The claim to reopen his peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity, was granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability, including status post lipoma excision of the left shoulder and chloracne, to include as due to herbicide exposure, was denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities associated with any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased initial disability ratings have been denied. The RO/AMC has reviewed the evidence and determined that no new or material evidence has been received to reopen any previously denied service connection claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain outstanding VA and private medical records, as well as for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his hypertension and hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's tinnitus and sleep apnea are related to service, while the remaining issues have been granted based on direct service connection. The dental disorder claim is reconsidered.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and soft tissue sarcoma. The claim for increased rating for depressive reaction is pending.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hypertension but has determined that it is not established as a result of service. The Veteran's hypertension was found to be unrelated to his service-connected PTSD and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran, and his widow requested substitution as the appellant. The issue of entitlement to service connection for high cholesterol has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's neurological disorder, variously diagnosed as benign/idiopathic intracranial hypertension, pseudotumor cerebri, and empty sella syndrome, is rated at a 60 percent rating throughout the pendency of this claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension and a right wrist disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.