Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2014

The Board has received a withdrawal of the appeal from the appellant, resulting in the dismissal of all issues.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to service connection for hypertension.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depression, and anxiety, and hypertension. The evidence is sufficient to establish that these conditions are related to service.,Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, Depression, Anxiety) and hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities as of February 27, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus with hypertension and erectile dysfunction was denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current criteria.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims and granted service connection for generalized anxiety disorder. The claims for hypertension, heart disease, and residuals of dental trauma are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension and erectile dysfunction are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for hypertension and diabetic nephropathy, as these conditions are aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether hypertension became manifest within one year of separation from service, and grants service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for tinea pedis and hypertension are being remanded to the RO for further action, including consideration of new evidence and a VA examination.

The Veteran's hypertension was not service-connected as it did not originate in service or until years after service, and is not otherwise etiologically related to service; nor was hypertension caused or chronically worsened by service-connected diabetes mellitus.,Throughout the appeals period, the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy in his left and right legs has been characterized by no more than mild incomplete paralysis with mild pain and numbness and some loss of hair and thinning skin.

The Board found that the Veteran's coronary artery disease and high blood pressure are not related to his military service, including exposure to chemicals. The current conditions were attributed to multiple cardiac risk factors such as cigarette smoking, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and a genetic predisposition.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for hypertension, and service connection for heart disease were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a grant of any of these claims.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not shown to be related to service, with the preponderance of evidence indicating they are due to post-service noise exposure.,Hypertension was found to have existed prior to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection for tinnitus and for increase in rating for dry eye syndrome and exophthalmos due to procedural issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and hypertension, which are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and initial ratings for hypertension have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction or an increased schedular rating for hypertension.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current left ankle disability and denied service connection for this condition. The claims of service connection for right knee, low back, and hypertension were also denied as secondary to his service-connected left knee disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and SSA records, as well as any relevant medical evidence associated with a potential asbestos exposure claim. The appellant is also scheduled for a VA respiratory examination to assess his lung disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete opinions and further examination is required for both hypertension and low back disability.