Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.,Prior to May 27, 2015, the Veteran's hypertension was rated at 10 percent. From May 27, 2015, forward, it has been rated at 20 percent. The evidence does not support a higher rating for either period.,The Veteran's status-post discectomy and laminectomy with herniated nucleus pulposus at L4-5 was initially rated as 10 percent prior to May 27, 2015, and has been increased to 40 percent from that date. The radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was initially rated as 10 percent prior to May 27, 2015, and has been increased to 20 percent from that date. The radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was granted a separate 20 percent rating effective May 27, 2015.,The Veteran's radiculopathies are rated under Diagnostic Codes 8520 and have been increased to reflect their severity based on the degree of impairment they cause. The Board finds no basis for granting higher ratings in either case.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, PTSD, and hypertension are all found to be related to his active duty service. Insomnia is not considered a separate condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is service-connected, as it began during his military service and continues to this day.

The Board is remanding the claim for further development and readjudication due to failure to comply with previous remand instructions.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for flat feet and a psychiatric disorder, but denied the remaining issues. The Veteran's claim for hypertension was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. His bilateral foot disorder is not considered service-connected, his acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is also not service-connected, and he does not meet criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected cardiovascular disease. Additionally, a new opinion regarding whether hypertension is aggravated by diabetes mellitus will be provided.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in relative equipoise on whether the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, hypertension, COPD, obstructive sleep apnea, congestive heart failure, and asthma are secondary to his service-connected organophosphate delayed onset injuries. As such, these claims have been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for high cholesterol, bilateral eye disability (claimed as dry eyes), right lower extremity disability, hearing loss, and hypertension were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current disability for VA compensation purposes, his bilateral eye disabilities are not related to herbicide exposure, and he has not provided competent evidence of direct causation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hypertension and its relationship to service, herbicide exposure, or diabetes.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest during service, was not otherwise related to service, and was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and a 30 percent rating for PTSD, effective February 12, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression and alcohol abuse prior to May 9, 2013, warrants a disability rating of 70 percent. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction requires insulin and a restricted diet but does not require regulation of activities.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are etiologically related to his in-service combat stressors. The claims of service connection for low back disorder, hypertension, and bowel disorder remain pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a traumatic brain injury, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric condition have been denied. The denial of the PTSD claim is due to lack of evidence linking it to his honorable period of active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including low back disability, groin injury residuals, pulled abdominal muscle, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), breathing condition (chronic bronchitis), colon cancer, H. pylori infection, diabetes mellitus, gout, and hemorrhoids (precancerous condition). The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting back disorder was not aggravated by any period of active duty or ACDUTRA service.

The Board has decided that the hearing before a Veterans Law Judge should be rescheduled due to the hearing officer's retirement and the appellant's request for a new hearing. The case is now remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient discussion of service connection for hypertension on a direct basis as the result of herbicide exposure. The Veteran's hypertension is not presumed by Agent Orange exposure, but an examination should be conducted to determine if it is directly related to his in-service exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's hypertension claim due to its inextricability with his diabetes mellitus claim, and also for additional development regarding herbicide exposure. The hypertension claim will be considered based on direct service connection or other relevant theories.

The Veteran's headaches are related to his service-connected blepharitis with meibomian gland dysfunction, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and for a new examination to assess the current severity of his hypertension.