Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2014

The Board found that the Veteran's right ankle disability is not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a link between his in-service injury and current condition. The hypertension claim was remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since the date of his claim on August 5, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected hypertension does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating greater than 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rate of SMC was granted, and the effective date for this grant was set at May 13, 2014. The Veteran also received an earlier effective date for his entitlement to SMC.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral polyneuropathy of the lower extremities and degenerative disc disease with a small left protrusion are rated at 40 percent for orthopedic impairment, and 10 percent each for mild incomplete paralysis of the left and right lower extremity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's allergic rhinitis and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service. The case is being remanded to further develop evidence regarding the Veteran's knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for hypertension or sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, or PTSD.,Both conditions were not diagnosed during service and are not shown to be related to any period of active duty.

The Veteran submitted a timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) regarding the denial of his claim for service connection for hypertension. The Board has determined that this constitutes a valid NOD and remanded the case to issue a Statement of the Case on the matter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, including whether it is related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling appropriate VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hypertension or insomnia that is related to his military service. The claim for service connection for these conditions is therefore denied.

The Veteran's hypertension was not found to be incurred in or aggravated by active service, and it is unclear if the condition is related to his service-connected myalgia/myositis with insomnia.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension, reopening the underlying claims. The Veteran's PTSD remains at a 70% rating.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and bilateral pes planus with calcaneal spurs, both rated at 10 percent. The Veteran's hypertension is not entitled to a higher rating as his blood pressure readings do not meet the criteria for a 20 percent rating. His bilateral pes planus does not warrant a higher than 10 percent disability rating due to its current symptoms and functional limitations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations. The issues of service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction are among those that need to be addressed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to his request for a Video Conference Board Hearing.

The Board has denied both claims of service connection for hypertension and loss of vision in the right eye, finding that there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's service-connected PTSD or service. The appeal is therefore denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current back disability and hypertension are not related to his service, as they did not manifest within a year of separation from service or during service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination of his disabilities and consideration under extra-schedular criteria.