Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's hypertension and plantar fasciitis have been rated appropriately, with no need for higher ratings at this time.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and the Veteran choosing a representative. The hearing request is pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, including whether it is secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder or in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination if necessary. The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, prostate cancer, and colon cancer are pending.

The Board has remanded the claim for further development and readjudication due to a Joint Motion for Remand (JMR). The Veteran's hypertension is being evaluated in light of his service exposure, but there is no evidence linking it to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable disability rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule. The evidence does not show diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more, or a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more requiring continuous medication for control.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection. The Board has remanded the issues of sleep apnea and hysterectomy with bilateral oophorectomy for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The lumbar spine disability is rated as noncompensable prior to September 10, 2007, and 10 percent from that date to May 21, 2013, with a 40 percent rating beginning May 22, 2013. The cervical spine disability was also rated as noncompensably disabling prior to May 22, 2013, and 10 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings have been granted, with some issues receiving higher ratings.

The Veteran's low back disability was found to have been manifested by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine at 45 degrees prior to January 11, 2011. The RO denied an increased rating for this condition as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to his service or his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his hypertension and any diagnosed heart condition, to include left ventricular hypertrophy (chest pain).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be related to service and granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred or aggravated by his military service and is not proximately due to, or the result of, his service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or chronic renal disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for left knee patellofemoral syndrome, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, and hypertension.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine are granted as secondary to his service-connected compression fracture of L-1. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed hypertension did not originate in service or for many years thereafter and is not related to any incident during active service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin disability, chronic headaches, back disorder (including degenerative disc disease and sciatica), nail fungus of the hands and feet, sterility/erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and recurrent hemorrhoids are all connected to service. The appeal is granted for these conditions.