Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The case is being remanded for further factual development due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed disabilities and exposure to chemical hazards during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction did not manifest during service and is not secondary to a service-connected disability.,Similarly, the Board determined that hypertension did not manifest during service and is also not secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing. The issues include service connection for kidney disorder and hypertension secondary to diabetes, higher initial ratings for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, and TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea, finding that both conditions are proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to his service-connected cardiomegaly, and thus denied this claim. The remaining issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for cardiomegaly and for service connection of the residuals of a CVA are remanded for further development.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not need a higher level of care without which he would require hospitalization, nursing home care, or other residential institutional care. Therefore, SMC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(r)(2) is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims due to a failure to issue a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) after additional development. The appellant is advised of all applicable rights and given an opportunity to respond.

The Board has not made a determination on the service connection claims for right knee degenerative joint disease and hypertension as these issues are considered 'unknown' due to insufficient information. The initial rating claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that there is no current disability for the claimed adrenal gland tumor and no in-service incurrence or relationship to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's hypertension claim also fails as it does not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of a current disability, an absence of in-service incurrence, and no evidence of a causal relationship to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, homonymous hemianopsia, tinnitus, and a psychiatric disorder were denied as there was no evidence of a nexus to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, or that any diagnosed conditions began during his active service.,Service connection was not established for the Veteran's currently diagnosed thyroid disorder due to lack of in-service disease and failure to relate it to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), left ankle disability, and hypertension have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or etiologies related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion on whether the Veteran's hypertension was caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and coronary artery disease were not incurred or aggravated by active service. The evidence did not support a finding of herbicide exposure during service, and therefore presumptive service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that it is at least as likely as not that the appellant's current chronic sinusitis had its onset during his active duty service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to his service-connected status-post myocardial infarction and denied the claim for secondary service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor are they due to, the result of, or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD. The RO's September 2004 decision denying service connection for CAD and hypertension is final, but new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of entitlement to service connection for CAD and hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability was withdrawn. The Board also dismissed the remaining claims as there is no evidence of a current bilateral foot disorder, acquired psychiatric disability (specifically PTSD and depression/anxiety), or hypertension that is related to active service.