Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for hypertension with hypertensive heart disease and chronic renal disease was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 60 percent prior to June 13, 2013 and in excess of 80 percent on and after June 13, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a skin condition of the feet/toenails are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions. Additional development is needed, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing supplemental VA medical opinions.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for her husband's cause of death, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted. The Board concluded that the Veteran's service-connected pulmonary tuberculosis did not cause or contribute to his death.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for glomerulonephritis with hypertension has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and providing an opinion on whether hypertension was aggravated by service-connected PTSD or diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 19, 2003, for the award of service connection for end-stage renal disease has been granted. The effective date is set at August 19, 2003.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent for nephropathy with hypertension prior to August 6, 2012, or for separate compensable ratings for each disability.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected disabilities and new claims. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for the issuance of a Statement of the Case on certain issues, including those involving sleep apnea and hemorrhoids/dizziness.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA treatment records and will review the claims based on additional evidence.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for PTSD, hypertension, and sinusitis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and a supplemental VA medical opinion regarding his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's headaches and hypertension were not rated higher than the assigned percentages. The Veteran was granted increased ratings for his varicose veins, but the reduction in rating for lumbosacral strain from 20% to 10% is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TMJ, prostate disability (erectile dysfunction), hypertension, GERD, hematuria, and sinus disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II with hyperlipidemia and bilateral iliac stenosis status-post stenting. The evidence did not establish a causal relationship between the two conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing a new opinion regarding the cause of death. The appeal is currently in remand status.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA clinical records and a medical opinion regarding the relationship between hypertension and PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's dishonorable discharge from July 13, 1990 to August 13, 1999 is a statutory bar to VA benefits. The claims for service connection for bursitis and bicep tendonitis are denied as there is no evidence of in-service disease or injury related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that no new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the previously denied claims for hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a right elbow disability, loss of use of the arms, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides and his current diagnoses of hypertension and diabetes. The AOJ is instructed to conduct additional development, including obtaining records from Dr. Christopher Sesslar and any other relevant treatment providers, as well as securing information about the USS America's location during the relevant time period.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50% and granted, but bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hepatitis are not service connected.