Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2015

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for further development and consideration due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether his erectile dysfunction is caused or aggravated by his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral ocular keratoconus, entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension, and entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral tinnitus is related to noise exposure during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The other issues are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for residuals of an insect bite, residuals of a tapeworm infection, and low back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest during service, is not otherwise related to an event or injury in service, and was not caused by any service-connected disability. Therefore, service connection for hypertension cannot be granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of his hypertension and rhinitis, as well as for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for a new medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and left knee disability have been reopened. However, the Board has determined that there is no evidence to support these claims based on active duty or National Guard service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Morton's neuroma (claimed as a bilateral foot condition) has been withdrawn. The claim of compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for the throat injury sustained during the February 2010 left knee arthroscopy is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder injury and hypertension are currently pending. The claim for hearing loss has been denied. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss as defined by VA regulations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's service connection claim for his acquired psychiatric condition, anxiety disorder. The decision also addressed hypertension and hepatic steatosis but did not reach a final determination on these issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service or service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not etiologically related to service and did not manifest within one year of discharge. The claim for direct service connection was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus or PTSD, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inconsistencies in the examination reports and missing service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether PTSD aggravated or caused any of the Veteran's conditions listed on his death certificate.

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

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that his current blood pressure readings do not warrant a higher rating as they are consistently below the levels required for a 20 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and will schedule a videoconference hearing for the Veteran.

The Veteran's hypertension has been denied for initial compensable ratings prior to July 17, 2014 and a rating in excess of 10 percent since that date.